It's hard enough being a college student, with academics, org work, family, and maybe a sport to…read moreattend to on a daily basis. Now try adding some work to that as well. Maqui Castelo is an incoming junior, majoring in communications in Ateneo de Manila University. When he's not busy with all that, he does some freelance photography and contractual modelling himself, that he displays on separate Instagram accounts (@californiamaqui/@maquicastelo) and actually does some graphic design on the side as well. He has some writing skills as well, having some articles on Candy Magazine's website, on top of being a Candy Cutie himself. With a variety of talents, you can pretty much call on Maqui Castelo for anything - from a photoshoot to some graphic design, and he's sure to deliver above and beyond what you ask for. He's definitely a new name to watch out for in the media industry.

If you've ever wondered how Instagram posts could look so beautifully curated, they come from…read moregenius and creative minds like Martina Bautista. I've always admired how all her posts were like they came out of a magazine and true enough they're as close to that as possible. Martina, who also does interior design, does a lot of creative lay outs for many publications. She can turn any mundane thing into a wonderful Instagram post (with no filter needed!). If you have any products that you're looking to sell or market and you need help making them pretty, Martina is the girl to help you with that! She also does bazaar booths, pop ups, shoot designs and other events! Her interior design background makes her that much more dependable because she knows what'll look good on what! Trust me, this girl is amaze! Oh and this girl of many talents is also into wedding planning, fyi, just incase you'll need that information in the future!

If you're interested in taking up photography lessons in Manila and ask around, you're sure to hear…read morethe name Jo Avila come up a bunch of times. This is no coincidence or accident because Jo has been one of the foremost photography instructors in the country, delving in everything from basic lessons to advanced lighting techniques. Aside from the education you get from the workshop proper, one of the perks of being one of Jo Avila's "alumni" is that you're given first priority to assist him if there's a shoot. For photographers in Manila, getting a VA or volunteer assistant is pretty common and quite frankly, desired especially with big names. For budding photographers, it's a rare chance to catch a glimpse of real professionals in action and perhaps help in getting your foot in the door. If it's something you want to do in the future, enroll in one of his classes a.s.a.p.!

Grid Magazine has got to be the coolest local travel magazine to happen in Philippine publishing…read more Wait, let me correct that. Grid Magazine has got to be the coolest magazine ever to hit Philippine publishing. Amazing photography. I'm talking about National Geographic level of character in the pictures. They feature real stories and real people - the people who make up our nation as opposed to the pretentious people who just want to be "be seen". Their covers are not models in bikinis with perfect bodies. The essays are human interest pieces rather than fluff pieces that we're used to. They have events like open calls for photographers and gallery events to sell their photos. The proceeds they donate to a chosen charity. I absolutely approve this new perspective. It's like seeing the Philippines through different (admittedly hipster) lens. I would like to see more of this patriotism. It IS More Fun in the Philippines but it's even better if done with infinitely more style like Grid.

MMG Image Consultancy I highly recommend. I had the privilege of meeting Monique Guevara when I was…read moreheavily involved in a personal care program that she was a part of as well. I was so happy to make her acquaintance as I received a glimpse of what her image consultancy sessions are like. Monique's services include color analysis, image portfolios, personal shopping, makeovers... the bottom line is that for women, you'll get fully schooled on how to eat right, look right, feel right, and best of all, live right. I suppose the main reason her program appeals to me is because it's Bible-based. However, any person of any religion is welcome to employ her services.

We needed to frame a long Chicago skyline poster-type photo we brought as a gift for our host. In…read moreall our searches and asking others for recommendations, we were so frustrated to not find anything that could provide something lightweight, and immediately. But then someone suggested we check SM MegaMall which has all kinds of service shops, in addition to retail and eateries. We found Frame Plus! Not only did Juliette provide a solution, but her workmanship in framing our picture was excellent! We highly recommend this little shop!

After a 5 star super fun experience at Sip & Gogh, I had a new painting on my hands that I didn't…read moreknow what to do with. I realized shortly after that I had wall space on the room, so I quickly decided to have it framed. I didn't know whom to trust so I just decided to try going into a random frame shop I saw in Megamall a few months ago. As I was coming in, a friend was on her way out. She recommended the store and continued to remark that she always has her paintings framed there. That gave me reassurance. I was glad to have guessed right. Frame Plus has a variety of designs to choose from. You could have it gold edged or with wood and you pay by the inch if I remember right. I came back the following week and I was so happy with what they did with my painting. Frame Plus did such a good job. It was quality work. The frame further enhanced the picture. I recommend.

Shoemaking is one of those things I keep hearing Filipinos used to be good at, you know, like…read morerunning the government or a clean election. Humor aside, I never really looked at our country with pride when it came to products that were meant to be worn by my feet. By the time I was born, the real shoemakers that could've been found in Marakina had lost most of their cred. During my generation, most of us got our shoes from retailers selling shoes from some overseas brand that we believed to be of good quality because they were imported, that last word carries a lot of weight in Filipino culture than most foreigners would probably assume. Eventually, these alleged brilliant shoemakers had gone out of business. Sapatero, not sure if it's cobbler or shoemaker in English, is this small business that caters to men looking for custom made shoes. They seek to revitalize, if not revive, the shoemaking industry of our country. This Sapatero is in the business of making money & history. Their service is top notch You walk into their place of business for a consultation. They'll ask you about what kind of shoe you want, the design, the leather, & practically anything else you want done with your shoe. Questions like foot deformities, conditions, & past medical operations are bound to spring up as well. You can tell that these people are dedicated & mean serious business by the way they run their operation. Know how cows in Japan are supposedly made to drink beer & massaged in order to keep their meat really soft? I think these guys know their business on that level. Their salesman probably loves shoes to the point that it borders on being his second religion. It should come as no surprise then why they exert so much effort when it comes to quality control. The cobblers Their cobblers are finely trained craftsmen. They're typically shoemakers from factories who then went under special training to hone their current skills as well as pick up new ones in the process. One of the reasons why they haven't expanded isn't because they don't have a big enough market to cater to; there are enough people out there who want their wares. The real problem is that the owner understands that you don't just pick up a random hobo on the street & train him expecting to produce a cobbler who knows his stuff. Their devotion to each pair of shoe that they make is what they've built their reputation on. Walk into their consultation room & you'll be greeted by this impressive shoe rack decorated with some of the finest pieces of footwear I've seen. In fact, if you didn't know that they were made here I swear that they were made in Europe. Pricing The price of custom shoes starts at fifteen thousand. Considering the quality of the craft & the materials, their shoes are a marvelous value for money. I mean, come on people, these are handmade shoes we're talking about & not mass produced stuff that you get off an assembly line. Price depends largely on the leather that you want to use for your shoe. They have leather from local tanneries, calf leather from France, suede leather from England & some of the finest leathers from Italy. So whether it's a double monk strap or a whole cut oxford, the price of your shoe will be the same. Choice of leather is the sole consideration when it comes to pricing. The shoe making process Before the shoes are finished, clients are asked to drop by & see how their shoe is doing. If it's too tight or there's just something off about it, clients are encouraged to voice out their opinion in the design & construction of the shoe. It's not like you walk in, they take your measurements & off you go to wait for the finished product. They're there with you every step of the way. The finished product During my visit, I saw a lot of happy clients walk in & out of their consultation room. You can tell by the look on their faces that they're more than happy to part ways with their money for the shoes that Sapatero delivers. They have this eager look on their face that reminds me of kids, clients are filled with the sort of effervescent joy that fills a child when they open a present realizing what's inside was better than they could have ever hoped for. Why I love this place I love Sapatero because you can tell that they're trying to do something different with their business. Emphasis is given to the notion that with the right materials & equipment a Filipino can make something as good, if not better, than their western counterparts. Their service tries to take the popular notion that Filipino craftsmen are no longer what they used to be & turn that perception in over its head. Excellent service provided from the idea that we can can still improve the local industry. They do something that I wish a lot of Filipino entrepreneurs would do, take a step in the right direction. Sapatero is the go to place if you're looking for a shoe that's tailor, or in this case cobbler, made just for you.

If one is reminded of the neoprene pieces with names of various places in Metro Manila written on…read morethem when they see jeepneys roving around the city, then Jeffrey Rogador has set his moniker on the fashion scene. With his audacity to experiment on textiles, Jeffrey discovered that the convenience and durability of neoprene suits his urban sporty design aesthetic well. Digital printing, embossing, and perforating on jogger pants, pull overs, jackets, skirts, and shirts made of neoprene are just among the things that he tried out because he says that "a touch of the athletic vibe made a big hit in trends because people now also consider health, wellness and sports as part of one's daily routine." According to Jeffrey, some people would think that the thickness of the fabric might be too warm for the climate of the Philippines but he says that its light and airy characteristic is actually comfortable and suitable for the condition in the country and even in other parts of Asia. When it comes to quality, its durability is equally good and comparable to denim, and its colors do not fade. One may also encounter fewer problems with the fitting because of it being a stretched fabric. The wash-and-wear characteristic of the fabric makes it perfect for the urban and travelling lifestyle. He believes that the flexibility of the fabric will lead to it being a fashion staple in the near future. "Separate staple pieces will be good to mix and match. You can go formal with pencil skirts (for women) or pants (for men) when matched with dressy tops or tailored blazers. Pull overs, jackets, or sweaters can be versatile as well, depending on the event, may it be for office, party or even for a work out at the gym. It will go with whatever accessories or shoes you will pair with it," suggests Jeffrey when it comes to wearing neoprene pieces.