Wearing the Philippine map is now fashionable

Filipinos are not shy to wear their hearts on their sleeves. With the iconic map of the Philippines, Pinoys are taking it one step farther by wearing their love for country on their shirts, their dresses, and, now, even on their wrists.

For the “fashionalistas” — a term coined by fashion gurus referring to people who are fashionable (but not faddish) and nationalistic — wearing the Philippine map is just another creative way of expressing individuality and patriotism. Now, what that embroidered or silkscreened map did for clothing, it will now do for dynamic designer watch brand odm’s timepieces.

The new odm+Pilipinas collection features the most popular DD99B model with a distinctly Pinoy flavor. Printed on the velvety soft silicon wristband is a unique rendition of the Philippine map, using the word “Pilipinas” in place of solid lines. The message “Bayang Magiliw…Pilipinas” scrolls across the screen, but as soon as you flick your wrist to check on the time, the numbers automatically appear.

Pinoy pride isn’t the only feature of the odm+Pilipinas collection. Its sleek lines and massive proportions add flair to your wrist. The strap rides your wrist comfortably and snugly. It also comes in four versions, ready to match any outfit: white with black and gray imprints; yellow with black and white imprints; black with yellow, white and gray imprints; and black with red, white and blue imprints.

Now proudly flashing the new odm+Pilipinas watches on their wrists are teen heartthrobs Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu. This popular love team, stars of numerous movies and teleseryes, is the perfect example of today’s young fashionalistas. While they may not be publicly declaring their love for country, they embody worthy Filipino characteristics. After all, Gerald is the Fil-Am boy who chose to reside in his mother’s home country (and who can forget his bravery and compassion at the height of Typhoon Ondoy?); and Kim is the modern day dalagang Pilipina, loyal to her family to the very end. Both are wholesome, good looks notwithstanding, delighting their numerous fans with their movies and drama series. They both carry the mantle of success with humility—and yes, with panache.

Joining Gerald and Kim as odm endorsers are Jiggy Aquino Cruz and Miguel Aquino Abellada, from the famous—and nationalistic—Aquino clan. Like the two young stars, Jiggy and Miguel wear their fame lightly, and their Pinoy-ness with quiet pride. All four are driven and hardworking, perfect role models for the next generation of Filipinos. With an ODM+Pilipinas watch on their wrists, they can subtly say, “I’m Proud, I’m Pinoy.”

(odm+Pilipinas watches are available for only P4,275 at L Timestudio, Wristpod, Chronos, and at SM, Landmark and Robinson’s department stores.)

People mag’s Most Beautiful People

Julia Roberts could have landed on the cover of People magazine’s Most Beautiful People issue, if not for Sandra Bullock’s, latest revelation that she adopted a son in January. Sandra and the boy are on the cover instead. The boy, now three and a half months old was kept from the public until after the Academy Awards (this year) where Sandra won Best Actress for the movie Blind Side. Sandra who is divorcing Jesse James whom she was married to for five years on allegations of cheating, will raise the boy as a single mom. The baby is named Louis (Bardo Bullock) after the jazz great Louis Armstrong whose hit song What A Wonderful World is close to Sandra’s heart. The baby, according to Sandra, came during “the media craziness of the awards season,” she said. She kept the baby hidden from the media with only a few trusted associates and loved ones in the know. “Anything we did with Louis had to be pre-planned like a CIA mission,” she said. “Just the doctors’ visits were filled with decoys and dark cars.... People that I had worked with for years couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t let them into my house for (Oscar ceremony gown) fittings.”

Meanwhile, Pretty Woman Julia who has a new movie titled Eat, Pray, Love doesn’t seem to mind. Good friend George Clooney said, “There’s a reason Julia is a timeless beauty, and it has nothing to do with her looks. It has everything to do with who she is.” It could have been Julia’s fourth cover in People’s Most Beautiful People issue.

While Julia credits other people of making her look good, and often self deprecates, to me she still ranks number one in the list of the world’s Most Beautiful People.

Other stars in the Most Beautiful People list include Avatar’s Zoe Saldana, Iron Man 2’s Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Aniston.