#vanessa lopa

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My biggest heartbreak

In the past few years, this point in February would be the week after the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. We'd be back home and still recovering from the fatigue, and I'd be trying to get my voice back. Not this year, though.

I've been quiet about it, but y'all have no idea how heartbroken I was when I first found out that we couldn't pull off the Fiesta for 2019. I grew up around the Fiesta and I may have only witnessed a small portion of the process leading up to the event, but I can recognize how much of their hearts and souls the organizing team puts into it.

It's more than just 4 whole days of sun exposure, heat, coordination, troubleshooting, etc. We prepped for it months in advance.

Every year, we joke that we would never do it again, but that's a lie. I know I'm not the only one who would do it all again in a heartbeat.

‘Til next entry, Vanessa ❤

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Photo by Marivic Silva

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Salamat para sa musika! ❤

Hosting photo from One Sound: Salamusika back in September! Not gonna lie, I think I enjoyed this One Sound the most. Riding on the energy of the crowd gives a natural high I can’t quite describe!

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OOTD: Wave goes Kpop!

Wave 89.1′s Christmas party happened last Tuesday, and the theme was Kpop! OuO It was awesome seeing almost the entire Wave fam again, from all the DJs to the admin and tech departments too. ❤

I’m glad I didn’t spend anything specifically for this outfit, since my tendency really is to purchase an item or two in order to fit in with the theme. XD My peg was kinda all over the place, though. I originally wanted 2NE1/BlackPink, but ended up more 2NE1/4Minute. Either way, I dig it. Maybe I’ll get to shoot it in better lighting sometime! ❤

‘Til next entry, Vanessa ❤

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Outfit breakdown: Spikey headband: (custom) Dark~Sweet~Soul Wig: Lacefront Yaki 32″ from Gothic Lolita WIgs Turtleneck sweater: Calico Rings: (custom) Dark~Sweet~Soul Harness: (custom) Dark~Sweet~Soul Faux fur coat: Forever 21 Pleated skirt with stripes: Forever 21 Patterned net stockings: Bodyline JP Boots: Pleaser via Pleaser Shoes PH

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Photos by Paola

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Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation Business Conference 2017

I had the honor of doing voice overs for the KMPC Business Conference last June 23rd, thanks to sir Arnold of Oreo Entertainment. I’ve worked with them on a few other programs, and it is always a pleasure. 

I’m trying to do better in terms of documenting my hosting and voice over work, and I’m glad I was able to take some clips during the program. Sometimes I wish I could have a personal documentation crew. XD

‘Til next entry, Vanessa ❤

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If you’d like to hire me as a host, feel free to contact me via PM on my Facebook page, or email me at [email protected]

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A Homecoming Of Sorts - LRG Cosplay Festival

It has been over a month since the Loving Rainbow Garden Cosplay Festival, and I am eternally grateful for my boyfriend snapping lots of pictures, but I have come to accept that I will not be able to cram them all into one blog entry. So for now, here is a pic of me hosting. XD

Loki Heart tapped me to host the event on a bit of short notice, and I’m really glad that my schedule cooperated. I’ve been lying low in the convention scene for years now, doing closet cosplays for kicks and sticking mostly to Japanese fashion. It was the perfect re-introduction to cosplay events, and a chance to meet new people as well.

I saw some familiar faces, and got to meet some folks I’d only known online. Others I hadn’t seen in years!

I was floored by the talent among the karaoke contestants and the bands present, I legitimately did not know how good our local talent pool had gotten.

I’m definitely looking forward to meeting more members of the community, and of course, hosting more events for Loving Rainbow Garden!

‘Til next entry, Vanessa ❤ 

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If you’d like to hire me as a host, feel free to contact me via PM on my Facebook page, or email me at [email protected]

Photos by Percy Tolentino and Rui San

Cosplay Festival poster courtesy of Loving Rainbow Garden

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Midnight Run, Midnight Fun

The Midnight Run Halloween Party is the second event I’ve hosted for Loving Rainbow Garden (I haven’t posted about the Cosplay Festival yet, eep! I have finally written down my feelings for Cosplay Festival!) and it felt like coming home. The event was once again spearheaded by Loki Heart, and the team was more or less the same this time around, making it super easy for all of us to work together. XD

Lesson learned from Cosplay Festival: Go for comfort! This time I was so comfy because I went in a penguin onesie and flats. XD I could run around without struggling this time!

It was great seeing familiar faces and new ones at Midnight Run! An old college friend popped up, and I got to meet some online friends, too. Some members of our local lolita fashion community were also present, t’was a shame I couldn’t join them in celebrating the anniversary of the community since I had hosting duties.

Some delays and adjustments to the schedule happened, but the show kept going! We had our Fashion Monster Runway Contest, and people brought their A-game. The winner was Kristina, one of our local lolitas who really piled on the gorgeous details. <3 Got to chat with the founder of our local Lolita fashion community as well, designer Justine Chantelle of Dorotee Sweetlips.

The costume contest participants were also pretty awesome! Our champion was such a cutie. <3

Mad props to the open stage performers and the bands that performed! We were treated to performances by Melodieux Celestina, a load of collaborations with FureRu, and the musical stylings of Tribu ni Dulu and Moonlight Symphony.  Too bad our party got shut down BY THE POLICE(!!!) before Project: MATERIA could play </3 We really did stretch ‘til midnight!

I hope that everyone enjoyed Midnight Run. Looking forward to the next event at Loving Rainbow Garden!

‘Til next entry, Vanessa ❤

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Photos by Lara Babula of Slanted Creatives, used with permission.

Moonlight Masquerade poster courtesy of Loving Rainbow Garden Events

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Surfing with the Wave 89.1 crew!

When I was little, my parents used to coach me to say that I want to be a broadcaster whenever people ask me what I want to be when I grow up. I was a talkative kid, even though my command of both the English and Filipino languages was atrocious back then. I’d like to believe I’ve improved since. 

Today marks my first day at Wave 89.1, and officially my first day on air! Tune in via USTREAM to The Morning Tide with me and Lance Goodman, Monday to Friday, 4AM to 7AM (GMT +8). Yes, in the morning. XD 

‘Til next entry, Vanessa ❤

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A New Beginning

This is my first legit shoot for 2013, and I am extremely happy with it. These are just some of the shots that Life (yes, that's her real name!) took, and I am definitely excited to see the rest!

CONFESSION: I was supposed to use one of these shots as my entry in dolldelight’s model search.

I’ve dropped out of the contest, not because I don’t have a presentable entry, but for personal reasons. I looked at these shots and realized that while we were shooting, I wasn’t thinking about the contest. I was doing this because it’s something I love. I work with the photographer to try and produce the best possible shots. I do it because this is the art that I choose.

I personally believe that our efforts deserve more than to be entered in a popularity contest. I understand the value of an artist’s effort, and I don’t think any form of art should be judged according to its popularity, but rather, by its quality. (the entries in round 1 look good, don’t get me wrong. Check them out yourself!)

This shoot marks a new beginning for me. A renewed appreciation for photography, and for my chosen art. I made it my new year’s resolution to do at least one good shoot every month, and I think this is an excellent start. I’m ridiculously excited to shoot again, and I am already preparing for February’s shoot. :D ------------------------------------- Photography by Life Dawn Special thanks to Monique Falcon for lending me the corset ♥ ♥ ♥

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