Skin-deep

San Francisco, California — Along the South Luzon Expressway in Manila, there are as many, if not more, billboards about skin-deep beauty services than about food, clothing or shelter.

The desire to look good and slim down must be directly proportional to the slimming down of the wallet — in tough times, who wants rough skin?

In the malls near Anaheim, California, where I visited my parents en route to a skin convention at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco (am no dermatologist but was invited to observe), the only counters where discounts and promos are not hefty are in the skin and cosmetic counters.

On the other hand, Macy’s has a buy-one-take-one promo on dresses in addition to the already decreased prices; Victoria’s Secret is giving away a free for every purchase of ie (Yes, the US is “land of the free” at the moment); and Toyota is selling brand new Camrys for $17,000 (10 months to pay). There is a heart-tugging “going out of business” sign outside Circuit City, my husband’s favorite hangout in past trips.

And General Motors is said to be “more open to bankruptcy.”

But retail spending in the US is at its highest since September (I’m sure especially among Filipinos trying to fill up their balikbayan boxes). And with the travel season in the Philippines dawning, expect Pinoy tourists to boost the economy in the US of A with their frenetic shopping between the months of May and March. So there is hope!

Business is brisk at Wal-Mart, but my sister Geraldine says that with other upscale stores awash in discounts, you don’t need to go to Wal-Mart (where a stampede took place in one branch the day after Thanksgiving, killing one) these days.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart stood above other retailers, posting its best sales performance in nine months. Sales rose 5.1 percent, twice the rate that analysts had expected, helped by a strong demand for electronics. Wal-Mart also credited the increased spending to lower gasoline prices, which they think made people go out of their houses and in to the malls. (Hmmm, shouldn’t they do the same thing in the Philippines?)

Shoppers, according to the newspaper report, are spending more on groceries, countertop appliances and cookware as they cut back on trips to restaurants. Discount stores are seeing brisk business while luxury retailers, mid-priced department stores and clothing chains are struggling. Neiman Marcus posted same-store sales declines of 21 percent or more. According to the same report, Target (my fave) posted a 4.1 percent decline in same-store sales.

February figures show unemployment rising, but of all the racial groups, it is the Asians who have the lowest unemployment figure. Is it because there are less Asians in the US compared to African-Americans and Latinos, or is it because a lot of Asians, including Filipinos, are in the health care industry, are hardworking and not particularly choosy about their tasks?

* * *

At a steak dinner at Mortons on my birthday (a treat from Geraldine, who says that in America, people treat you out on your birthday, you don’t treat them out), the famous steakhouse where the average meal with wine costs about $100 per person, our waiter was an MBA student with three weeks to go till graduation. People here are still pursuing the American dream the best way they know how — through hard work.

After dinner, we (my parents Frank and Sonia Mayor and my husband Ed) drove past the tree-lined avenue leading to Disneyland, which was all aglow with Tivoli lights. Yes, it still looks like the happiest place on earth, recession or not — or perhaps, especially during a recession.

With retail spending picking up this month (though it still can’t be called a trend), with a new administration that inspires change, and with women still spending on beauty products, the recession in America will hopefully be soon — just skin-deep.

The Assumption College Museum

 In celebration of 50 life-giving years, it was time to put in “a sacred place” the story of the outpouring of God’s Love for Assumption San Lorenzo and the legacy of her mission of transformative education. It was imperative to inspire the present generation in the Assumption to see how the spirit and mission of St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus, our Mother Foundress, was lived.

Heeding the call of Sr. Mary Gertrude Borres, R.A., president of Assumption College, High School Class ’55-College Class ’59 spearheaded the Assumption College Museum Project. The Class set about with enthusiasm and passion the raising of funds, the collection of memorabilia, the writing of the history of the Assumption since its arrival in the Philippines in 1892 up to the present. Getting in touch with people and talking of the past became a pilgrimage of joy and thanksgiving as the Class listened to the “stories” of how the Assumption, sisters, alumnae, friends and families, are “foundation stones” to the Assumption of today.

Teresa Custodio, the exhibit designer, and her team, with their creative input and design, have succeeded in making the Assumption College Museum a witness to the many “voices of hope”... a love which never says, “I have done enough.” (MME)

All Assumption alumnae are invited to come to the blessing of the Museum today, after the 5 p.m. Mass at the Our Lady of the Assumption chapel in San Lorenzo.

* * *

(You may e-mail me at [email protected])