Longchamp Planetes Tote Raffle

Image courtesy of www.shopstyle.com

Fashion PULIS on its fourth month anniversary has reached more than 2,000,000 pageviews. As a way of thanking all of you, I am giving away a black Longchamp Planetes Tote that I bought from Paris last April.

Four easy steps to join:

Step 1: Follow micsylim on Twitter. If you do not have a Twitter account, I suggest you create one.

Step 2: Tweet the reason why you love Fashion PULIS using this format:

@micsylim: I love http://fashionpulis.com because

Note: Please do not exceed the number of characters allowed per tweet. Only 1 tweet per Twitter account.

Step 3: "Like" Fashion PULIS' facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fashionpulis

Step 4: Capture the image of your tweet and email it as an attachment to mikesylim@gmail.com. If you do not know how to do this, you may simply copy and paste your tweet and email it to mikesylim@gmail.com. Please do not forget to include your Twitter account name.

All your tweets/emails will be RAFFLED and the lucky winner will receive a black Longchamp Planetes Tote.

Deadline for tweeting/emailing your reason for loving  Fashion PULIS is on June 25, 2011, 11:59 PM, Manila Time.

Letter from a Reader: Globe's Bad Customer Service

Image courtesy of www.atmaxplorer.com

Dear Fashion PULIS,

I would like to raise a concern regarding the responsiveness & effectiveness of Globe’s customer service and technical representatives. This is in relation to our phone & DSL bundle account under the name of Mr. Abner Sotto Jr.

Last May 25 we reported that our internet connection was down, the customer service representative accommodated us, aided us in troubleshooting the issue. When we still failed to get a connection, she sent over the technicians the following day to check on the modem but unfortunately they did not bring a replacement unit so they told us they would be back the following day. Days past and they never came back.

We called to follow on the status of the modem but and we were instructed to start the troubleshooting process all over again. This time around, they sent technicians to check on the main box in area. They mentioned that the main box might be the issue and not the modem since our account is appearing as online in the system.

A few days after the visit of the technicians, we still did not have any internet connection so we did another follow up. We were told that they were having issues requesting for the permit from the barangay where the box is located. They got our contact details and told us they would be calling us back for an update. Nobody ever called us up again.

Last week we called almost every day to do a follow up. We even got to talk to a supervisor named Mayann, who told us that she would be escalating our concern and will make sure it would be prioritized. A few days after our phone conversation with Mayann, we called again and asked if we could speak with her. We were surprised when the customer service representative who took our call told us that we were connected to a different outsourcing company.

Is it our fault that we were automatically connected to a different outsourcing company? Our main concern is to have our internet connection back. It has been almost a month now and we still have no clear answer from Globe. We no longer know what to do next. This is also not the first time that we have encountered such an issue. Months back, we asked for a rebate for the 2 weeks that we did not have any internet connection at all.

It is just very frustrating and exhausting to call them up and go thru the same cycle again and again. It is useless to answer the same list of questions knowing that the customer representatives will not be able to help you solve the problem.

When will this ever be addressed? When are we going to get our internet connection back? Why does this issue keep happening?

We sure hope we will be given the service that we are paying for. We regretted that we cancelled our subscription from another telecommunications company to subscribe to your company because of the promised internet speed and the convenience of Wi-Fi.

We would like to hear from you and hope that our problem will be given a solution as soon as possible. Thank you Fashion PULIS for posting my story.

Yours truly,
Mary Kathryn Sotto

Wedding Gown by Puey Quinones

 Images courtesy of John Mateos Ong

My client, Mrs. Rachel Valerie Go-Chua, was terrified when she came across the Fashion Scam article involving her wedding gown designer, Puey Quinones. After reading the story, she made it a point to check on the development of her wedding gown week after week. Yesterday, she finally marched down the aisle looking radiant in her wedding gown by Puey Quinones. Apart from the unavoidable zipper malfunction, she was totally satisfied with the final product. 

Richard, the groom, wore a beige tuxedo by the same designer. This time I assure you that the tuxedo did not have a Danzen tag in the inner pocket. 

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Rachel Chua! Best Wishes!

The Singer's Diva Manager

Image courtesy of www.thefreeman.net

A few months ago, a mall's marketing manager booked this female singer for a show in his mall. Upon going through the singer's contract, he discovered an absurd clause that states that the client has to provide the artist with "Class A Food". In his years of booking celebrities, it was the first time that he had encountered such a clause in a contract. Based on his previous experiences, the mall's celebrity guest is always given the best possible treatment even without being told. It has been the mall's practice that when a celebrity is still waiting for his/her turn to go on stage, he/she is invited to a nearby cafe or restaurant and is served with anything that he/she wants to order. It is common sense that the guest artist is never given lunch boxes just like the rest of the production crew.

On the day of the show, it started to rain cats and dogs. The heavy rain made the marketing manager decide to cancel the show that was supposed to take place in an open area. Upon making this decision, he immediately rang the manager of this singer informing him not to proceed to the mall anymore. When the manager heard this, he started yelling at the marketing manager and insisted that he should still pay for the singer's talent fee.

It has always been a practice of this mall to just reschedule a celebrity's performance in the event of a show cancellation due to acts of God. This was the very first time that the he had to pay an artist in spite of her inability to perform because of a fortuitous event. After this untoward incident, the marketing manager has vowed that he will never ever deal with the diva manager of this singer. It is just too bad for them because this marketing manager is in charge of several malls all over the city.

Do you know who this singer with the diva manager is? If I am not mistaken, she performs rather regularly on a variety show every Sunday. If you still do not have an idea, I suggest that you follow micsylim on Twitter to get extra clues. Keep emailing your stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com.

The Juicy Chika Behind the 1st Belo Blogger's Night

DJ Angelicopter sharing her breast enhancement experience

Dr. Vicki Belo explaning the best technique 

for breast implant placements

Last night, I was invited by the Belo Medical Group to attend its first ever Belo Blogger's Night. It was held at Myron's Place in Greenbelt 5. The food was good but the company was even better. 

I was seated across Belo Medical Group's latest endorser for breast enhancement, Angelika "Angleicopter" Cruz. Have you seen her giant billboard along Edsa? I was very flattered when she told me that she and her friends are avid readers of  Fashion PULIS. 

During dinner, I asked Angelicopter as to what was her ultimate worry prior to having her breast enhancement procedure. She told me that she was scared that she might end up with breasts that are too round and too unnatural. She said, "I don't want to have duckpin bowling ball breast like those of __________."

I could not control my laughter when I heard Angelicopter's statement. I had to turn to Dr. Caparas, the breast expert of the Belo Medical Group, and asked him if the young actress that Angelicopter was referring to really had her breast enhancement. He told me that it would be impossible for someone as skinny as she is to have breast as full as hers. He even shared that he strongly believes that the young actress also had parts of her face fixed. 

Do you know who the young actress that Dr. Caparas and Angelicopter was referring to? She has repeatedly denied on the family network TV interviews that she had her breast and face done. I guess she can not fool an expert board certified plastic surgeon and someone who has actually had her breast enhancement.

If you do not have any idea, I suggest you follow micsylim on Twitter. Please continue to email your stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com.

Please Spare Me

Image courtesy of www.amazingeventsmadeeasy.blogspot.com

This veteran action star would always wait for this congressman from the south to arrive in the casino. Every time he sees him there, he would stick to him like a leech and sweet talk his way into asking him for a few pieces of casino chips. Being the generous high roller, this congressman would always hand him a few pieces and wish him good luck. Instead of gambling all of the casino chips away, he would wait for the congressman to leave the gambling area, exchange the chips for cash, before disappearing from the casino.

The bodyguards of this congressman hate the guts of this action star because he treats them lowly and yet he only begs for chips from their boss. This is why whenever the bodyguards see him winning, they would do what he does to their boss, suck up to him and ask for “balato”. Left with no other choice, the action star would unwillingly hand them a 1,000 PhP bill for them to share.

Do you know who this veteran action star is? He is the father of the son of a very talkative TV personality. If you are still clueless, look at the title or follow micsylim on Twitter. Please continue to email your stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com.

Mr. and Mrs. Really Just 12 hrs

Image courtesy of www.themarketguardian.com

The contract of this female celebrity endorser strictly states that she can only work for 12 hours in a day, from 10 am to 10 pm. For the shooting of TV commercials, this time frame is unrealistic because unlike TV series, commercials require better quality and therefore need more takes. She usually comes to the set late in the morning and spends between two to three hours for her hair and make-up to be done. During the day, she is normally pleasant to everyone but when the clock strikes 10pm, the director, the producer, the crew and even the clients see her sudden mood change. She becomes grouchy and makes it clear to everyone that her husband has been calling her and insisting that she goes home as soon as possible.

Her husband is no different. He comes to the set late and when the 12 hours have been consumed, he tunes out without providing any leeway. It seems like the couple has this drama of calling each other on the final hour so that everyone on the set is aware that they have one last work hour remaining for the day. A veteran production guy noted that this male celebrity endorser was very easy to work with prior to him marrying the female celebrity endorser.

This husband and wife pair has signed numerous endorsement contracts lately. It is obvious that they are doing it for the money. I do not see anything wrong with that, but at least they have to feel for the brand. One time during a commercial shoot, a brand manager was on the set sharing his sentiments about this male celebrity endorser with the production team. He mentioned that the past celebrity endorsers of his brands were warm, easy to talk to, and would always project their affinity for the product. Without being told, they would mention the brand that they are endorsing when they appear on TV shows and would even offer to attend  promotional events. This male celebrity endorser is nothing like that. He is distant, cold and appears to be uninterested in the products that he is endorsing. The client feels that it is just pure business for him and his wife.

Some production people have professed that the two of them are two of the most difficult celebrities that they have ever worked with. If you do not know who they are, follow micsylim on twitter to get more clues. Please continue to email your stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com.

My Favorite Restaurant in HK: Peking Garden - Alexandra House, Central

Peking Garden - Alexandra House, Central, Hong Kong

Last night, we had dinner in Peking Garden - Alexandra House. This is our favorite restaurant in Hong Kong so whenever we are here, we try our best to drop by this place. Look at the menu and you will know why. It is a bit pricey but it is all worth it. 

Peking Garden's Foyer Area

Peking Garden's Main Dining Room

Set Menu = 1,280 HKD per person

Pickles with Beancurd

Smoked Vegetable Roll with Sliced Pork 

in Garlic and Chili Sauce

Braised Supreme Shark's Fin Soup with Crabmeat

Braised Whole Yoshihama Abalone and Sea Cucumber

in Oyster Sauce

Deep Fried Prawn in Chili Sauce

(instead of Barbecued Peking Duck)

"Tan Tan" Noodles

Sweetened Bird's Nest in Almond Juice

The Time Giver

Image courtesy of www.blogs.jovempan.uol.com.br

I will be in Hong Kong for the next few days so expect my stories to be brief in the meantime. Despite being tired from all the walking and shopping, I just could not go to bed without writing a blind item for you guys. I hope you can be more understanding. =)

Do not even dare to ask this actress/TV host about the call time because she is bound to give you the wrong information. She does this on purpose so that she will be the only one in the group who will come to the shoot on time. She wants to make the others look unprofessional so that she will be favorite of the of the production team. Now I know why  is the favorite girl of this certain director.

Do you know who this dubious actress/TV host is? She projects a sweet and sincere image on TV but in real life she is the exact opposite. Her fellow celebrities are all very wary of her after discovering her true color.

I will give you two clues since I will not be able to tweet because the internet connection in our hotel room is very slow. The first clue is she hosts not just one show in the family network. For the second clue, you have to look closer at the title for you to find it. Happy guess guys!

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao

Located at the Arrival Area of the

Hong Kong International Airport

My aunt and I arrived in Hong Kong yesterday around one in the afternoon. Before heading to our hotel, we stopped by Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao for lunch. 

Beancurd with Preserved Egg = 40 HKD

This is the favorite dish of my aunt. She loves the soft texture of the beancurd topped with pork floss and century egg.

  

Steamed Pork Dumplings "Shanghai" Style = 30 HKD

For me, this is one of the best xiao long paos in Hong Kong. It has a richer flavor compared to the version of Ding Tai Fung. The xiao long paos that they serve in the Greenhills branch is nothing compared to the ones they serve in Hong Kong. If you are craving for xiao long paos in Manila, I suggest you go to Peking Garden in Greenbelt 3 instead.  

Wanton in Chili Oil = 38 HKD

If you like your dumplings spicy, then I suggest this over xiao long pao. It also has a stronger flavor because of the chili oil. 

Assorted Vegetable Wrapped in Deep-Fried

Beancurd Sheets = 48 HKD

I personally love crispy beancurd skin so this is a dish that I always order every time I visit this restaurant. 

Taro Pastry = 28 HKD

If you like desserts that are not too sweet then I recommend these pastries with taro filling.

Sesame Cream = 22 HKD



I am not a fan of black sesame but my aunt loves it very much. I guess it is an acquired taste.