Think Again

A 23 year old national swim team member, athlete, traveller, and chaser of dreams. This blog will serve as an avenue for me to share to the world the creative side of me through fashion, travel, and my everyday lifestyle. I’m open for any...

[johansenaguilar]

A Quick Stop in Sydney

In my previous posts, I promised I’d be writing an in depth blog on the places I visited during my Australia - New Zealand trip. So as promised, first off the list is Sydney!

Sydney, often mistakenly known as the capital of Australia, is my first stop in my Australia – New Zealand trip! Thanks to Cebu Pacific’s cheap direct flights to Sydney, I was able to save a lot on airfare costs. This is actually my second time in Sydney, so I figured to just stay for a day. But even if it’s just a stopover, there’s really some places that I couldn’t resist visiting during my short stay in Sydney!

There are so many century old buildings in downtown CBD, so why not take time to take some #OOTD shots!

First off, would be Darling Harbour. This harbor right in the heart of Sydney offers a lot of attractions from restaurants to picturesque views, and even some interesting museums. Sydney is actually home to a diverse culture making its food choices one of my favorites. Just off Darling Harbor is Chinatown, where different Asian cuisines such as Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese food are served. Well, if you’re on a budget then this is the right place to grab a quick lunch.

This is a typical Vietnamese meal that we ate for just around 10 AUD, which is cheap given how high the cost of living in Australia is!

Located right in the middle of Darling Harbour are some interesting museums which are worth the visit especially when it’s your first time notably Madame Tussauds and Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. If you have more time, I suggest getting the 4-attraction pass. For just 63 AUD, you’re already given access to both Madame Tussauds and Sea Life plus Sydney Eye Tower and Wild Life. Not bad!

Since I was there just for a day, I chose to just stroll along the harbor taking some photo-worthy shots with the yachts parked by the bay. It’s really a nice place to just chill and take in the sea breeze on a sunny afternoon.

Next off would be, Sydney CBD. The city itself is actually littered with buildings, but of course the more interesting ones would be the 19th century Queen Victoria Building along George St. Both the interior and exterior architecture, for me, is worth the visit! Plus, it’s actually a shopping mall. A good place to hang around CBD is around Pitt St., where countless malls and the Sydney Eye Tower are located.

The Sydney Eye!

Sydney CBD.

Queen Victoria Building

Queen Victoria Building from the other side.

My last stop would be the Sydney Opera House and the Darling Harbour Bridge. A trip to Sydney is never complete without a visit to Australia’s most iconic structure the Sydney Opera House. It’s always a good idea to take profile pictures here on a good weather. 

Another bucketlist must be spending New Year ’s Eve in this area on December 31. Not bad to be one of the 1st to spend New Year in a foreign country! What I love about the Opera House is that you can actually take photos of it in different angles and it will still look amazing!

Other side trips:

Sydney is also well known for its beaches, so if you have extra time, I suggest you visiting Bondi Beach and the Icebergs. Also, other noteworthy beaches would be Manly Beach and Cogee Beach. Both offering breathtaking views of the Australian coast! We ran out of time during our one day visit, but trust me the views during the day are worth it! It’s just an Uber or Bus Ride away from Sydney CBD. It will probably take just around 15-20 minutes to get the beach front! 

Stay tuned for my Melbourne visual gallery on my next post!

[johansenaguilar]

Sweater Weather

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again. The Christmas spirit is definitely in the air with so many people rushing their Christmas shopping and planning their holidays! I’ve always associated Christmas with cold weather and I’ve always dreamed of a white Christmas, but unfortunately, there’s no snow here in Manila! But this week, it finally felt like Christmas thanks to the typhoon, so I was finally able to bring out my sweaters and wear them just in time for Christmas!

While in Makati, I took time to visit the Bencab Museum located in RCBC Plaza in Makati along Ayala Avenue since my sister was awarded in the Cocolife Art Competition (yehey!). Funny as it may seem, but I’m not really familiar with the museums in the metro, but this privately owned museum houses a lot of interesting art collections and some cool architecture areas as well! 

Recently, I paid a visit to Topman to grab one of my favorite sweaters. I instantly fell in love with this green, nature palette sweater, which gives out a very classy feel for the Christmas weather. It’s a simple style to pull off by simply partnering it with dark jeans and your favorite sneakers!

You can also try out a variation by wearing a white long sleeve polo underneath to create that preppy look with the white collar and sleeves sticking out to give your look a contrast to the dark green color palette! You can even wear a suit over to make it all the more formal! Take advantage of the cool weather to dress up.

I’ve done some Christmas shopping lately and there are a lot of fashion brands selling cool sweaters this season! Always nice to dress up during the holidays and look your best for the happiest season of the year! Also, why not try mix and match your Christmas look with these colorful socks from Happy Socks, perfect for the Sweater Weather!

Also, PS, when you’re in the area why not stop by Bencab Museum to check out the interesting layout and score some clean white photos for your Instagram!

Happy Holidays! Cheers!

[johansenaguilar]

Fun and Playful Holiday Dressing with Aéropostale

Christmas is just around the corner again (whew how time flies!). It’s the season of giving gifts, enjoying with your love ones, and celebrating the yuletide season. Honestly, it’s one of the best times to be in the Philippines, seeing all the Christmas decors, listening to the Christmas songs in malls, and doing some Christmas shopping. 

Everything is very Christmas-y in the Philippines, except probably the weather. Christmas is usually associated with winter and snow with the fashion-forward youth in winter wonderland dressing up in their winter clothes showcasing their soft scarves and thick coats. Here in the Philippines though, we really don't get cold weather, but we still happily celebrate the season of cool with our own chic Fall-Winter fashion. This year I teamed up with AEROPOSTALE, the style leader in casual apparel, to put together a guide on how to dress up and make a statement this hoiday season! 

Back to School 

Men can be stylish without being branded a metrosexual. Check out this Aeropostale-inspired school prep style with a twist this holiday season. I personally love the collection's masculine palette of varsity colors such as red, white, and green. The  varsity-inspired leather hoody is accented by the red button down polo giving that "back-to-school" look.

Not-So Typical Guy Next Door 

December in the Philippines is quite cool compared to other months so take advantage of the rather cool weather to experiment with layers, partnering your print shirts with unique button down designs from AEROPOSTALE. This white stripe button down polo is accented by a simple grey print shirt to give off the guy next door look. The black joggers make this look relaxed and comfortable; ready for the Christmas festivities.

Not you ordinary Couple Outfit

For an outfit that inspires more spunk and attitude, then you can never go wrong with stripes. This buttoned down polo with red and blue stripes is a sure style win. Go out on a date with your special someone with matching color palette. Feel free to experiment matching this button down with other unique plain shirts! Choose from a button down or open button look to match your style. 

Aéropostale is part of SSI (Store Specialist Inc.), which houses well-known brands such as Lacoste, Zara, Gucci, GAP, Nine West, Kate Spade, Calvin Klein and more! 

Simply logon to ssilife.com.ph to check out what their brands have to offer this holiday season to make your Christmas the most fashionable and most memorable one yet!

[johansenaguilar]

The Best of NZ: 5 reasons why you should plan your next trip to New Zealand

New Zealand has never been the popular destination given its isolated location from the Philippines. Many elect to go to their dream Eurotrip destinations such as Paris, Rome, London, Milan, and the like. But In my over a week in New Zealand, I’ll be running down the 5 reasons why you might consider a trip to this isolated wonder.

1. Visiting Queenstown and Skydiving from 15,000 feet

First off the list is Queenstown. Queenstown is located in New Zealand’s South Island (for me, one of the most beautiful, untouched places you’ll ever see). It’s actually just a small town for avid skiers and adrenaline junkies. Queenstown is often called the adventure capital of the world since extreme activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, and speed jet boat rides are readily available for the tourists and locals that flock to this resort town during holidays. The town is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.

Well-known mountains such as Coronet Peak and The Remarkables serve as ski resorts for both locals and tourists around the world.

 You can basically go around town in less than half a day (yes, it is a small town), but the breathtaking views from the gondola and the walk lakeside makes this town difficult to forget.

If you were to try just one activity in your whole stay in New Zealand, that should be skydiving in Queenstown. If the weather cooperates, you’ll be skydiving in one of the world’s most spectacular views. I must say, IT WAS DEFINITELY WORTH IT. Don’t be afraid, you’ll be with a professional, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the view from 15,000 feet in the air!

2.  Roadtrip to Milford Sound

Milford Sound, which some people dub as the 8th Wonder of the World is a 6 hour drive from Queenstown, with a stop over in Te Anau. I would say the road trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound is probably one of the best, if not the best scenic drives you’ll ever do if the weather cooperates. Milford Sound is actually carved by glaciers over the years. I’ll let the pictures speak for itself.

The cruise around Milford Bay is simply breath-taking. With views of waterfalls and mountains all around you. Also why not take a kayak and explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your own?

3. Glenorchy/Wanaka Road Trips

A 30 minute drive from Queenstown, this isolated town up north of Lake Wakatipu served as a location shoot for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The area called Paradise where the views of surrounding mountains are amazing is one to visit. If you’re keen on exploring nature and spectacular views then Glenorchy is a place you won’t forget.

Wanaka, on the other hand, is an hour drive from Queenstown. The hidden gem of this town is its lake, Lake Wanaka. Lake Wanaka is often photographed by photographers for its “Lone Tree”. A tree in the middle of the lake and if you add the backdrop of the mountain and the lake makes for a stunning photo!

4. Fergburger

No trip to New Zealand is complete without trying Fergburger! Located in Queenstown, this burger restaurant is always full of people lining up to get a taste of one of the best burgers in the world. It is reasonably affordable and worth the price. Their burgers are absolutely jaw-dropping.

5.  Hobbiton, Matamata New Zealand

One of the most popular tourist destinations, if not the most popular one is Hobbiton in the north Island of New Zealand. Whether you’re a fan of the Lord of the Rings or not, this place is heaven. 

Seeing the Shire in real life actually feels surreal. Again if the weather cooperates, then you’re in for a treat. Visiting Frodo’s home and seeing sheep all around this farm, which was converted into a movie set should be one reason you have to visit New Zealand! It’s always a good idea to be a hobbit for a day!

Will post more detailed guides on the locations soon! Til next time!

Photos taken using my Fuji XE-2 and Go Pro Hero 4.

[johansenaguilar]

Welcome to Middle Earth: Glenorchy

Ever wondered how it would feel like to visit some of the most iconic shooting sites of The Lord of the Rings franchise? Through this photo diary, you’ll get to get a glimpse of Isengard, Amon Hen, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains and Ithilien, which were all shot in one of the most tucked away places in New Zealand - Glenorchy. 

Just a 30 minute drive from Queenstown is Glenorchy, a small town at the end of the Glenorchy road and one of the shooting sites for Lord of the Rings. Glenorchy road is said to be one of the most scenic drives in all of NZ. We took our roadtrip on a gloomy day. Normally, I'd be disappointed going on a gloomy day, but I would make this as an exception  To be honest, I found a way to love the gloomy weather because somehow it made my photos look more dramatic! 

Here's some of the most breathtaking shots of Glenorchy, which are all very Instagram-worthy!

My favorite shot would be me standing with my neon Underarmour wind breaker all alone in the wharf of Glenochy. Notice that little lamp post right at the end of the wharf! This is actually Misty Mountains, the iconic mountains in the Lord of The Rings franchise.

This location would be the wharf located inside the town of Glenorchy. You can always be creative especially when you have the mountains as your backdrop. Imagine that this is the Misty Mountains in the movie.

Across the wharf is the lake where you can just stand and marvel at the beautiful mountains and boats this quiet town has to offer. Here, you can get a glimpse of Lothlorien Forest in the background.

Lake Wakatipu is so still that you can achieve mirror reflections of the objects in the lake. Play around with your creativity and capture random reflections with the still lake! Some shots were filmed here as part of the backdrop for the Misty Mountains and Amon Hen. The trees and branches compliment the shots made in the movie.

The town is surrounded by mountains capped with snow, add in a little fog and trees then it’ll now look like a painting! The view and trees were used to portray Lothlorien Forest and Isengard and its tower. 

When you get to the wharf, there’s a red house that has a sign of “Glenorchy”. After this iconic red house, you’ll be treated to this view. Stunning!

The water is so still that it perfectly reflects the mountains in the backdrop.

Take a walk along the lakeside and take more nature shots!

Glenorchy is definitely one of the most isolated yet surreal places I’ve been to. It’s just a small town, but you’ll be surprised on how much photos you’ll take. Bonus is there’s not much people in this town, so you’ll pretty much have it all to yourself as your personal studio!

When planning a trip to Queenstown never forget to drop by this town, Glenorchy!

Photos taken using my Fuji XE-2 and Go Pro Hero 4.

[johansenaguilar]

Adventure Down Under: My Australia and NZ trip for under $100 a day

So, I'm back from my two week trip of Australia and New Zealand with some of my close friends, and I must say that was one of the most memorable trips to date! New Zealand, sometimes better known as Lord of the Rings Land, has always been one of my bucket lists of places to visit.

For the longest time, that dream seemed impossible because of how far New Zealand is far from everything else (it's another 3 hour flight from Australia) and how expensive it is to even get to New Zealand from Manila. Flights to New Zealand would cost around 60,000 pesos alone! Another option would be to get a tour, which would probably cost even more given how remotely far New Zealand is! In this blog post, I'd be sharing how it's possible to visit one of the gems of the world while on a budget and planning AHEAD.

If you’re looking for serenity and nature, then New Zealand is the place to go.

Thanks to Cebu Pacific's newly launched route to Sydney, me and my friends were able to get a round-trip ticket to Sydney from Manila for only a whopping 6,000 pesos.

With that low base fare, I realized flights to New Zealand from Australia are way cheaper than flying direct to New Zealand. Here's our itinerary and cost below:

MNL - SYD -MNL P6,600 via Cebu Pacific

Melbourne - Queenstown P5,500 via Air New Zealand

Queenstown – Auckland P2,900 via Jetstar

Auckland - Gold Coast P4,500 via Jetstar

Gold Coast - Sydney P2,300 via Jetstar

so for the 6 flights listed above, we spent a total of around 21,000 pesos by booking well in advance and constantly checking on promos from Jetstar and Air New Zealand.

This is Sydney from around 10,000 ft in the air.

Always take note that Jetstar usually holds its Friday Frenzy seat sale, so some good deals might be available for purchase on Fridays!

Here’s a budget table for a typical two week Australia New Zealand trip. You too can fulfill your dream of visiting these wonderful countries!

Australia/New Zealand Budget (for 2 weeks):

Airfare 21,800

Visa Fees  (Australia) 5,400

Accommodation (hostels  and AirBnb) 12,000

Food 12,000

Transportation  (trains, metro, rent a car) 10,000

Others (Skydive, tickets, gondola, shopping, etc.) 15,000

Total P76,200

Some travel tips:

A quick tip will be to search for hostels and air bnb especially if you guys are travelling in a group! Renting out an apartment if you are 4-5 would definitely come out cheaper than booking 2 hotel rooms. 

In Melbourne always make use of the free trams within the city to save on transportation costs! 

Skydiving with Nzone in Queesntown is a must do especially when the weather is clear! Something I’ll definitely never regret!   www.nzoneskydive.co.nz/ 

Renting a car in New Zealand is a must! Imagine being in full control of where to go and where to stop! Can’t imagine a better roadtrip than that! We rented ourselves a brand new Nissan Xtrail 2015 for only 2,000 a day from www.gorentals.com. Check them out for amazing deals!

Australia and New Zealand have very diverse cultures, to save on food try out the different Asian cuisines available (Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese)

Always check for the weather especially in New Zealand, weather is very unpredictable!

Stay tuned for my next posts that will discuss in details of the places we visited! (Sydney – Melbourne – Queenstown – Gold Coast).

Photos taken with with my Fuji XE-2 and my Go Pro Hero 4.

[johansenaguilar]

What’s up Pulag?

Mt. Pulag has been getting so much social media attention these days, and could probably be considered as the top hike choice for avid climbers. Casual climbers as well as celebrities have also joined the bandwagon in climbing Pulag, everyone taking aim at capturing that picture perfect “sea of clouds” at sunrise at the peak of the summit 2,922 meters above sea level (MASL). 

Currently, Mt. Pulag is considered the 3rd highest just behind Mt. Apo and Mt. Dulang-dulang. Anyway, before dreaming of that picture perfect sea of clouds shot at the summit, there are several things that one must consider.

The Journey

Mt. Pulag is located in the province of Benguet near Baguio City, so it is best reached by bus from Manila to Baguio. For a weekend overnight hike to Pulag, we left at 1am Friday and got to Baguio at around 7-8am Saturday. We then made our way by jeepney, which departs the Petron Gas Station just across the bus station to the base camp of Mt. Pulag. This took another 2hrs or so, so by the time we got to base camp it was already 10am. The ride up the mountain was bumpy given the nature of the roads, but it was quite an experience riding it with your friends on a jeep to the base camp of Pulag.

The Trail

The trail to Mt. Pulag isn’t easy especially for beginners. The easy trail also known as Ambangeg trail, will take approximately 6 hours from the base camp, that’s if you begin your trek from there. Along the way there are three camp sites, with camp 3, only 30 minutes from the summit. The usual Mt. Pulag tours will take you to the base camp at around lunch time then spend the rest of the day sleeping in one of the cabins. The actual hike begins the following morning at around 1am reaching the summit at around 6:30am just in time for sunrise. But hiking in the dark without enjoying the views isn’t so fun right? So what our group did was we decided to make the most out of the first day and hike straight to camp 3. We figured that if we wanted to take in the beauty of Mt. Pulag, it would be best to hike during the day.

After completing the orientation at base camp, we decided to grab some brunch near base camp. We started hiking at around 12nn and quickly reached camp 1 at around 1:15pm in the afternoon. After a quick break, we immediately set out for camp 2. The beauty I can say about Mt. Pulag is that the trails to each camps have different themes. The trail from base camp to camp 1 is made of paved roads, stairs, and a view of the rice fields down below. It’s the usual hiking scenery but with a steep climb through the stairs that will make you sweat. Meanwhile, the trail from camp 1 to 2 is mostly wet, made out of moss and damp soil, which is due to the Mossy Forest. Again, it gives the climbers a different feel of the mountain, which feels like you’re in a rainforest. From camp 1 to camp 2, it took us around another 1.5 hours reaching camp 2 at around 3pm. Most of the groups would camp here in camp 2 since it has wonderful views of the mountain and is in the middle of the trek. Being an active group, we decided to push on to camp 3.

 The trail from camp 2 to camp 3, is one of my favorite. It’s made out of majestic and picturesque views of the mountain. The tall golden grasses surround the trail, making the pictures look absolutely perfect. The trek leads all the way to different hills and down to camp 3, which is now 30 minutes away from the summit. This trek was a bit more challenging, but more rewarding. I couldn’t count how many times I stopped to take a photo to take in the scenery. We probably took around another 2.5 hours before reaching camp 3, getting there just before 6pm. We quickly set up our tents, just before sunset and started cooking dinner for the group.

One of the beauties of camping up high in camp 3 is that you’re closer to the skies. Meaning, during a clear, dark day, the views of the stars are majestic. At 3AM, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of the Milky Way, and with a good camera capture it. Remember, you’ll need a tripod or steady hands to capture the shot with an extended exposure!

At around 5:30am, we started our hike up to the summit. Upon reaching the summit of Pulag, the rest is history. We were treated with a clear view and sunrise, but without the “Sea of Clouds” that are present in most photos. Nevertheless the photos at 2,922 MASL are breathtaking.

Till the next adventure!

[johansenaguilar]

AIESEC’S YOUTH LEADERSHIP MONTH: Empowering Leadership in the Filipino Youth

AIESEC, the world’s largest youth driven organizationwith over 100,000 members all around the world, is celebrating Youth Leadership Month this coming March 2015. The month long festivities will be aimed at enhancing the boundless potential of the Filipino youth through the different programs and activities and making Youth Leadership an advocacy everyone and anyone can be involved in.

With the Philippine economy now booming more than ever, it will be inevitable that the youth today have the responsibility to be excellent leaders in the future. That is why, as the biggest international student-run organization, AIESEC aims to focus on Youth Leadership as an essential factor in creating a world-class and globally competitive Philippines. With the Youth Leadership Month, AIESEC hopes to create an empowered, inclusive, and action-oriented community that will produce the next generation leaders of our nation.

Everyone is welcomed to join! Signing up is simple, simply go to the AIESEC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/YLMPH to check out the details and be part of this movement. Details of the program and activities for the whole month of March, 2015 are seen below:

It’s definitely an amazing line up of activities geared towards providing as much opportunities to develop the leadership skills and potential in you.

The Youth Leadership Month this 2015, will also be supplemented with a series of leadership development events such as the Philippine Youth to Business Forum, Youth-to-Government Forum and the International Youth Leaders Conference. Sign up links for these forums can be found in the Youth Leadership Month Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/YLMPH. These events are geared towards tackling key issues in our nation today such as government and business as well as provide delegates with a chance to network and develop their leadership skills. You’re not going to be a student forever, so grab this chance to open your mind, network, and hopefully be one of the future leaders of the Philippines.

I’m also giving away FREE passes to 5 lucky people! Basically, each person will get three (3) passes each to attend the activities lined up for the Youth Leadership Month! All you have to do is repost my instagram post with the #YLMPhilippines and get a chance to one exclusive passes to the event!

See you guys there!

#YLMPhilippines

[johansenaguilar]

Apollo: Live the Dream Music Festival Giveaway!

Christmas is once again just around the corner, but before you think about Christmas trees, lights, and gifts, take a step back first and relive the epic summer with one last music festival with your friends! Sounds fun right?

This coming Friday, November 14, 2014, two of the biggest school organizations, the University of the Philippines Junior Marketing Association (UP JMA) and De La Salle University Business Management Society (DLSU BMS) bring you Apollo: Live The Dream at the Globe Circuit Events Ground in Circuit Makati, the first ever inter-university Music Festival! Imagine chilling out with your friends from different universities enjoying good food, free flowing drinks, and music plus capping the epic night off with a spectacular lights show!

Aside from creating a night to remember, UP JMA and DLSU BMS also tied up with FILSCAP, an advocate of Filipino music that aims to promote original music in the Philippines, to showcase new and aspiring Filipino artists and help them pursue their dreams.

So once again, Apollo: Live the Dream Music Festival will be happening on November 14, 2014 (11/14/14) from 4pm onwards at the Globe Circuit Events Ground in Circuit, Makati! Tickets are available in the University of the Philippines - Diliman, De La Salle University - Manila, and selected partner organizations across different universities. For more details, like their events page on Facebook (/APOLLOMusicFest), Twitter (@APOLLOMusicFest) Instagram (@APOLLOMusicFest), or you may contact them at 09283516176! See you guys there!

Since I’m really excited for Friday, here’s the outfit I’ve chosen to wear for the Music Festival! Jogger pants and cool kicks are the trend these days, and I’ve decided to match it with my hipster long sleeves and shirt-around-the-waist to go with the hipster trend!

There’s a lot of cheap find these days! Actually, I got these jogger pants from Forever 21, they’re really very comfortable and stylish too. Not to mention, very comfortable as well.

Top: Oxygen, Jogger Pants: Forever 21, Shoes: New Balance 574 Classics.

I’ve also decided to break in these New Balance 574 classics, I really love the neon colors of the shoe plus the comfort as well! Even with no socks I feel I can walk a thousand miles with this comfortable sole!

I got these hip long sleeves from Oxygen, another cheap find for only 700 bucks! Plus the denim button downs from Folded and Hung also under 1,000 bucks! To cap off my outfit, I’ve decided to mix in some shades and a wrist watch as well!

Have you decided on what to wear already? Well, I’ve decided to hold a giveaway! I’m giving four (4) lucky people the chance to experience Apollo for free! There will be two winners of two tickets each. You can join in two (2) easy ways:

Follow me @johanaguilar (that’s me) and @APOLLOmusicfest on instagram.

Tag AND mention me in your #OOTD for Apollo with #APOLLOMusicFestival and write a short/catchy description of the photo as to why you want to experience Apollo. Don’t forget to mention/tag the person you would want to go with as well!

The most creative #OOTD will win 2 tickets each. Winners will be announced on the evening of November 14, 2014!

Goodluck guys and see you there!

#APOLLOMusicFestival

[johansenaguilar]

What does the opening of H&M in the Philippines really mean for the local fashion industry?

Last Friday, October 17, 2014, H&M finally opened its doors in the Philippines, opening its first branch in SM Megamall. The opening of this world-renowned brand was trending months before the opening, and drew thousands of avid shoppers who even camped outside of Megamall just to be one of the first 200 lucky shoppers to win GC’s or simply just to witness the opening of the very first store. The opening was also trending on social media with different people tweeting and posting about their different experiences whilst shopping in 3 whole floors of H&M heaven (the biggest retail store in the country today). But aside from the shopping, the fashionable finds, and the affordable price, what does the opening of H&M really imply?

The opening of H&M made me realize that there are only 5 major retail companies in the Philippines that basically own around 70% (my own estimate hehe) of all the stores we see in malls. Imagine, malls such as the Mall of Asia, Sm Aura, Greenbelt, and the like, 70% of the stores are owned by practically just 5 big retail companies in the Philippines.

1. Store Specialist Inc. (SSI)

Store Specialist Inc. is the retail group of Rustan’s. Being the first local company to bring in international brands, believe it or not, SSI has around 80 retail brands in the market. Well-known brands include Zara, Bershka, Lacoste, Burberry, Nine West, Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein, and Diesel to name a few.

A full list of all their brands could be found in their website: http://ssigroup.com.ph/brand-index

2. Robinson’s Store Specialists Inc. (RSSI)

I’ve always thought of Robinson’s Department Store or Supermarket, but little did I know that Robinson’s has its own retail brands. Their well-known brands include Topman, Topshop, River Island, Springfield, Dorothy Perkins, and Warehouse to name a few.

A full list of all their brands could be found in their website: http://robinsonsspecialtystores.com.ph/our_brands

3. Bench Retail Group

Bench is probably the most famous local fashion brand in the country, signing up the country’s biggest stars to endorse their products in store and in billboards. But Bench has evolved from just a local brand to bringing in famous international brands as well such as Cotton On, Celio, Aldo, La Senza, American Eagle Outfitters, Charles & Keith, and Call it Spring to name a few.

A full list of all their brands could be found in their website: http://robinsonsspecialtystores.com.ph/our_brands

4. Primer Group of Companies

Up next is the Primer Group of Companies. Pioneers of bringing in international luggage brands in the Philippines such as Samsonite, Victorinox, and World Traveller among others, Primer has evolved into one of the biggest fashion retailers in the country. They have now expanded their product range to footwear, fashion, and even outdoor recreation. They’re famous for opening concept stores such as Bratpack, The Travel Club, and R.O.X. Other famous brands you might know of would be Jansport, Sanuk, Fitflops, DC, The North Face, and Columbia to name a few.

A full list of all their brands could be found in their website: http://www.primergrp.com/theprimergroup.html

5. SM Retail Group

Last but not least would be the SM Retail Group. After successfully bringing in two of the biggest retail brands in the world: Forever 21 and Uniqlo during the past 2 years, SM scored yet another big hit after successfully bringing in H&M into the country. After being dominted by Rustan’s Store Specialist Inc., the Philippine Fashion Retail Industry is in for a major shakeup as SM slowly brings in more and more international brands into the country.  With the renovation of SM Megamall and the presence of SM Aura and Mall of Asia, SM is without a doubt on the leading front to corner more international brands in the near future.

With that said, I’m looking forward to more international retail brands that would soon open its doors in the Philippines. This is good news for every shopaholic, but then again if you thought that different brands are owned by different companies, you may want to think again the next time you do your window shopping! If there’s anything I’m sure of, it’s that bigger companies are just getting bigger and bigger. 

Images from: Rappler, Primer Group, Store Specialist Inc., Robinson's Store Specialist Inc., Bench, and SM websites.

[johansenaguilar]

A Day in Venezia

As I was travelling around Europe, I made 100% sure that I made a stop at the world-famous city of Venice, Italy. Taking a trip down memory lane, it was surreal to finally actually see the city that I’ve always seen as the setting of movies and TV shows ever since I was a kid. What makes it even more amazing is that the whole city is actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately for this trip, I only had 1 full day to explore the city. At first I was a bit sad that I only had one day to go around, but in reality, if you plan your trip well and know which places to go in Venice, it’s actually very doable! In this blog post, I’ll be sharing with you the places in Venice that’s worth visiting plus a few more travel tips just in case you’re dreaming of going to this wonderful city very soon!

Venice is actually an isolated island just off the main coast of Italy. The most fashionable way to get to the center of Venice is actually via a water boat shuttle. Upon touching down at Venice’s Marco Polo Airport, you can take a public bus or a taxi to Piazzale Roma, from there you would have to either board a public water boat shuttle or a private water taxi to get to Piazza San Marco or also called Saint Mark’s Square.

It’s a 20-30 minute boat ride and as you approach the city, you’ll be met by amazing views filled with colourful small houses and of course, the canals of this enchanting city.

Once you dock, the you’ll already get a picturesque view of the coastline or the docks of Venice. As you walk along the coast you’ll see the many different canals and bridges that cut across the city.

As you walk further into the city, you’ll see the Venetian Tower, which is located in St. Mark’s Square, which also houses the famous St. Mark’s Basilica. The square is a beauty filled with cafes, restaurants, and pigeons that litter the center of the square during the time I was there (May).

From the square, you can basically go to the different, smaller streets of Venice and visit the Grand Canal – the largest canal in Venice, which is filled with Vaporetti boats – the primary transport in Venice. Aside from Vaporetti, there are of course, many gondolas that circle around the smaller canals of Venice.

If it’s your first time in Venice then it is a MUST that you take a ride in one of the beautiful gondolas. If you’re lucky, your gondolier would even sing for you! How romantic don’t you think?

What to Eat:

After the canal ride, my tip would be to use the Triposo App, to find good restaurants in the city! Since Venice is a touristy place, the prices of food are actually quite expensive. But, if you’re just spending a day in the city, then just indulge yourself with pasta, pizza, risotto, and anything Italian!

What to Buy:

Venice is actually a city for tourists. Another must-visit would be the world-famus Murano glass of Venice. If you’re a glass-lover that you’d appreciate how the glass craftsmen demonstrate how glass making is done! It’s actually quite interesting! Just make sure you visit the Murano side of the island. Another great souvenir would be Venetian Masks, which you can wear at parties to hide your identity just like the movies! Souvenirs are actually quite cheap in Venice, so it’s a good idea to load up on souvenirs whilst in the city!

After eating and buying souvenirs, my suggestion would be to simply explore the tiny streets and canals of Venice! Take as much pictures as you can! Using again the Triposo App, you can make your way to the famous Rialto Bridge. For my Venice leg, the Triposo App really helped me a lot to navigate around the small streets through its offline map of the city!

The Rialto Bridge! The most famous bridge in Venice.

Venice at Night.

If you will be spending more time In Venice, then I suggest you explore the other smaller islands of the city. But most of the sites are already covered by the city’s main island. Other notable islands to visit would be Murano and Burano.

Till the next travel post! Ciao!

[johansenaguilar]

The Bakery Visit

Sometimes, it's really nice to unwind after a long and stressful day. Well, as I wrote on my previous blog post, a visit to Staple and Perk Bakery would be a nice idea. But, aside from just eating good food and enjoying the ambiance, might as well dress up and take a few snap shots of the place with your outfit of the day. Well, that's exactly what I did right after dessert, we still had time to make use of the nice ambiance of the place and shoot some #OOTD shots! So here’s what I wore for the day.

I decided to pair my button down polka dot from Forever 21 with my favorite maroon khaki pants from Celio. I love how the dark blue and maroon color jive! I tucked it in to give it a more formal look. Add in my watch and shades then there you have it!

Polka dots button down: Forever 21. Scarf and Red Khaki Pants from Celio. Shades from H&M. 

Socks and Shoes from Traffic

Here's my whole outfit for the day! Oh I forgot to mention, my shoulder bag is from SM Accessories, plus that SLR to complete the look!

Photo credits to Joche Huang, you may want to check out her blog at www.silverpotpourri.com :)

Till the next outfit post! Cheers!

[johansenaguilar]

Staple and Perk Bakery

Looking for a perfect place to unwind after a long and stressful day? Or even during the weekends? Well, there’s this bakery and coffee shop that’s open 24 hours! Yup, you heard that right, it’s open 24 hours! This chill and cozy place is called Staple and Perk Bakery located in the newly built Ecoplaza Building, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. Well, just last Friday (October 10), my friends and I decided to check out what this bakery/restaurant has to offer.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped inside the bakery was the wonderful ambiance and feel of the whole place. With approximately 200 square meters the place was extremely spacious and even had a second floor for additional seating or event.

On top of that, the design of the place was really very picturesque to be honest. With white walls, to unique decorations, to stuff toys being displayed, and even chalk sign boards, the place is perfect for random photos and Instagram moments. The whole set up was really made to make the customers feel relaxed and at home. Look at those cute stuff toys and the black, white, wooden brown color scheme!

After we settled in, my friends and I decided to order three different dishes. My friend Joche, ordered the Bacon & Cheese French Toast, while my friend Fides ordered the Red Wine Braised Beef. I, on the other hand, ordered the Bacon Flat Bread. My order was recommended by the restaurant’s owner, Aldrin Lim, which coincidentally is also my schoolmate (small world, I know). Coincidentally, Aldrin personally bakes and constantly creates new dishes to serve.

Here’s the Bacon & French Toast at P130! Really crunchy outer layer with the tasty bacon inside.

Here’s the Red Wine Braised Beef at P200. Really soft and tender beef with the unique twist of Red wine sauce. Would recommend it for Beef Lovers.

Last but not least, here’s the Bacon Flat Bread at P180. Melted cheese with bacon is always a perfect combo, combine that with the hot, toasted crusted flat bread, then it’s way better than your ordinary pizza! FYI, This flat bread was inspired from Turkish breads, how cool is that!

But we couldn’t leave the place without dessert right? So we decided to try out some cheesecakes. Just like the main dish, we decided to get three different flavors of Cheesecake: the Lime Cheesecake, Triple Cheese Cheesecake, and the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. Well since I’m such a sweet tooth, I personally loved all three!

  But what stood out for me is the Lime Cheesecake (the one on top). It had this unique blend of sour and sweet, which was a perfect interplay of taste for me! But if you’re a sugar lover then you would certainly love the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake for sure!

And finally, here’s our mandatory group picture to cap off the day.

Photo credits to Joche Huang, you may want to check out her blog at www.silverpotpourri.com :)

Till the next food trip! Thank you Fides Javier and Joche Huang (http://silverpotpourri.com/) for accompanying me. And of course, to Aldrin Lim for the hospitable welcome. :D 

[johansenaguilar]

When In Rome

A trip to Europe is never complete without a visit to one of the most famous cities in the world: Rome. Also called the City of Lights, Rome has a very rich history dating back to 783 BC! Rome was actually the 4th to the last stop of my 31 day European journey. I have to admit I was a bit tired at this stage, but WHEN IN ROME, I couldn’t afford to sleep in! In this post, I’d be highlighting things and places one must do WHEN IN ROME! From the Gladiators of the Coliseum, to wishing in the Trevi Fountain, and visiting countless gelato parlours, there’s really so much to do in Rome!

If it’s your first time in Rome, you would definitely want to visit the Coliseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world and home to the world-famous Gladiators! If you wanna save time I suggest you go to the Coliseum as early as possible. Hmm let’s say around 7am? Lines in famous attractions in Rome are ridiculously long, so going early would save you heaps of time!

 Why not visit the Coliseum at night?

After visiting the Coliseum, right beside it is the Roman Forum. It is unbelievable that a huge part of an ancient city remains preserved at the heart of Rome. Without taking any transport, this place is a must visit as you take a stroll along the burial sites of Julius Caesar and the Office of the Senate during the Roman Empire!

Next up is the world-famous Trevi Fountain! It’s crazy how much people visit the fountain every day to make a wish. My personal tip would be to visit early morning or night time to avoid the flock of people and to get better photos with the fountain!

Just a stroll away from the Trevi Fountain is what you’ve all been waiting for: The World’s BEST Gelato (that’s according to our Roman guide hehe). But a visit to Rome wouldn’t be complete without trying out Italian Gelato!

This place called Il Gelato Di San Crispino is located very close to the Trevi Fountain and serves mouth-watering to die for Gelato! At first I was a bit sceptical, but once I got to try out their Gelatos I was left speechless.

This Gelato Parlour has been constantly awarded and recognized over the years . Just look at all those stickers  in the door!

They also have different temperatures for their different flavors just to keep the texture and temperature right. This also ensures that the ice cream automatically melts in your mouth once you take that first bite.

There’s really so much to do in Rome and just a few block away, you can find the Pantheon another famous Roman architecture.  Other places that are worth the visit would be Castel Sant Angelo, The Pantheon,and of course, The Vatican (if you still have time).

 Till the next travel post! Choice :D

[johansenaguilar]

My Own Version of #TheNakedTruth

#TheNakedTruth has been going viral in social media for as long as I can remember. Hats off to Bench for a successful campaign. So last September, I was given a rare chance by Bench to be featured In their Bench B/Blog. The feature was shot at the new and stylish Privato Hotel in Pasig City. Upon arriving at the venue, I was automatically captivated by the ambiance of the hotel. The pool was located at the rooftop of the hotel with amazing views of Manila. I’ve done previous shoots before but not as fun and cool as this one!

That’s me wearing Bench light blue tapered jeans completely dipped in the swimming pool!

Fixing my drenched pants after going for a dip in the pool.

The whole shoot we were chasing the sunlight as there was always an overcast of clouds that would cover the sun. This shot was taken with the sun shining right in my face, but the shot turned out to be fine.

And the funniest shot of all is this jump shot of me while throwing an inflatable dolphin into the pool! Very hilarious, but the shot turned out to fine as well. 

The Poolside @ Privato Hotel!

Find out more about my feature and my story by checking the Bench B/blog out at http://www.bench.com.ph/blog/bench-meets-johan-aguilar/#.VDOtpmeSzXs

[johansenaguilar]

Home Run

Sports is Life. Just for those who don’t know, I’ve practically been an athlete almost my entire life. I started swimming when I was 7 years old and loved the sport since then. I’ve always viewed sporting attire as rather unfashionable when I was a kid. But today, the world of fashion has undeniably changed. Nike shoes are now not just for running, they’re for everyday casual wear! So for my next outfit post, here’s a look on how you can transform a baseball jersey into your own fashion statement!

Fashion is all about trends and recently as I was walking in one of the malls, I happened to catch a glimpse of a Cotton On baseball uniform being sold. The sporty guy in me automatically clicked and I paired this baseball uniform with a maroon khaki pants from Celio to make the look more unique. I love how the black and red colors seemingly always jive together and create this unique look. As you noticed, I didn’t button down my polo and instead wore a V-neck white shirt from Bench to play with the black and white color combination. To top it off, I wore my River Island Leopard Printed Shoes to finish off the look with a unique accent and feel.

What I’m wearing: Baseball Button Down Uniform (Cotton On), White V-neck (Bench), Maroon Khaki Pants (Celio), Leopard Printed Rubber Shoes (River Island).

Good thing about wearing V-necks is that I can quickly change outfits and put on a button down long sleeve depending on what my mood is for the day or the occasion.

What I’m wearing: Baseball Button Down Polka Dot Long Sleevs (Cotton On),  Maroon Khaki Pants (Celio), Leopard Printed Rubber Shoes (River Island).

Til the next outfit post! Choice :D

[johansenaguilar]

Milestone: There's always a FIRST for everything

Well, here it is my first ever blog outfit post. Been a while since I thought of starting a blog, but finally had time to sit down and put in some work! The past few years of my life has been really busy, but after graduating college I finally realized it’s time to start something new for a change. I’ve been on Instagram for a while now and I am absolutely loving it! So for real time updates, please follow me on Instagram (@johanaguilar).

Sunday’s are always the best time to relax, unwind, and of course, dress up! Lately, I’ve decided to change up my wardrobe from regular short sleeved polo shirts to something more unique and stylish. Last Sunday, I paired my classic Uniqlo denims with a blue polkadot button down I got from American Eagle Outfitters for only 1,250 pesos! Sale season is over, but guess what I still managed to get this button down at 50% off! To complement my look I wore a black jacket with Animal prints on the sleeves from Oxygen partnering it with my leopard printed “Nike Roshe”-like shoes from River Island! I absolutely love the shoes because not only are they stylish and unique, they are also very comfortable for the feet as well! Note how I folded the center of my jacket to give my look a better overall feel!  What do you guys think?

What I’m wearing: Blue Polka Dot Button Down (American Eagle Outfitters), Black Animal Print Jacket (Oxygen), Pants (Uniqlo), Leopard Printed Shoes (River Island), Backpack (Herschel).

Till next time! :)