When life was simpler I would only carry the basic things in my bag. But now, I tend to pack all the new gadgets and toiletries I can think of. My handbag has gotten heavier and heavier through the years.
Read on as these personalities share their bag essentials.
Arlu Gomez,photographer
I love carrying around my sketchbook, which I whip out while having coffee or waiting for my turn somewhere. Not only do I find sketching relaxing, it’s also a great way to document scenes from my day, giving me a good excuse to spend some time people watching.
Len Bautista Horn, marketing consultant
I can’t leave home without my pouch with phones, pouch with chargers, wallet, lipstick, isopropyl alcohol, cologne, rosary, pencil case, pouch with Post-It and personalized cards, office ID and bag hanger.
Allana Montelibano, businesswoman
My bag must-haves are my cellphone, Kleenex antibacterial aloe wipes and Anvil oil from G-stuff for instant relief of pains and stress. So useful.
Venisse Laurel-Hermano, general manager,House of Laurel, Inc.
I’m a no nonsense kind of girl. Aside from the essentials like my wallet, rosary, mobile phone, alcohol and checkbook, my everyday bag contains a very small makeup kit, which has a face powder, lipstick, gloss and blush. But I never ever leave home without my Kindle. I bring it everywhere.
Suzette Hahn Lopez, country director, Villa Medica
I have been carrying my favorite big black handbag — with my shawl, safety pins, eye drops, headache and lip balms — with me almost everyday since 2011. Perhaps it’s the Mommy in me. But I can never leave home without my wallet, cellphone and charger, reading glasses and my antihistamine tablet.
Rima Ostwani, deputy director of services, Discovery Primea
These are my bag essentials: camphone and wallet. It’s unthinkable to leave the house without your smartphone, which holds all the necessary information you need, aside from being a means of communication and a handy camera. The wallet, of course, holds your identification cards, credit cards and some cash to get you by in case anything comes up.
Claudia Hernandez, owner, Calima Jewelry
These are the things I have in my bag: lip balm and lipstick, nourishing hand cream, hair clip, small notebook and pen, business cards, battery charger, cash, credit and ATM cards, compact mirror, mints or breath spray, tissue, a small bottle of perfume, travel-size toothbrush and tooth paste, reading glasses, mobile Wi-Fi, cell phone, oil-control sheets, nail file, shades and eye-lubricant gel.
Franco Laurel, actor, blogger, editor
Aside from my wallet and cellphone, I always bring my cologne/perfume for the day. I cannot leave home without it because smelling good is very important to me. I always freshen up with my favorite scents such as James Heeley’s Menthe Fraiche, Jo Malone’s Lime Basil & Mandarin, The Different Company’s Bergamote and De Bachmakov.
Happy David, jewelry designer
My camera, iPhone and wallet are all in my bag when I’m here in Manila. But when in NY, I lug around more stuff because I’m out all day and I never know what I might need. I also bring a bottle of water, some trail mix, a pen, notebook, a good book, my cosmetic kit and a power bank.
Salome Uy, businesswoman
iPhone, keys, wallet, pen, sunnies, wet tissue, powder and lipgloss are essentials in my bag daily.
Pauline Gorriceta-Banusing, chef, Gruppo Al dente Restaurant, Iloilo
For someone who’s always on the go, I never leave home without my ever-reliable makeup kit, which contains my MAC Studio Fix, lipstick, eyeshadow and blush; Jo Malone cologne to perk me up; a ziplock with my mini toothbrush and toothpaste; non-static comb; my thick notebook planner; and my smartphone and phone charger.