I don’t know when I started looking at Ecks’ photos. I saw her, that I’m sure of, in one of Pat Nabong’s photo sets. I saw this girl with tan skin, beautiful eyes, long hair, and the loveliest sense of fashion. I used to call her, whenever I see her photos or posts in my Tumblr dashboard, my golden girl. I don’t know why I called her that, but I think I’ve figured out why.

I met Ecks Abitona last Tuesday afternoon, after I scored some expired films at The Collective. I was, although hiding it, excited to actually see her. I was sitting right next to the sitting statue of McDonald’s, and she texted me she could not find me. So I told her where I was and after a few minutes, I saw her smiling behind the glass door, covering all the busy people inside. Maybe, my heart leaped.

She walked me into this cafe, where I am now, and we talked about things. Things that I like, things that she like, and all the other things that people liked. Haha. I don’t know, it was a lovely afternoon spent with a lovely girl.

I could not help but take pictures of her, and here are some of them.

I also took videos, and I’ll post it as soon as it’s done uploading.

Ecks, thank you for spending the afternoon with me. I hope to see you soon.

Stay golden, Ecks.

X,

TheAidxParedes

This is my visual diary for my summer 2012. These photos were taken at random dates during April until May 2012.

Little girl being an angle for a mass back home.

Filming Homebound.

My 7:40 mornings and 4:00 afternoons.

The first time I killed my hair with blue.

Shooting an editorial with Shievar and The HAZE.

Eating breakfast and discussing Math problems with Ninin.

Windy days.

Meeting and shooting with new people… And making friends with them.

Team Manila opening.

Late nights and early mornings.

I colored my hair again, green this time.

Bowties from Kyrie.

Books from Albert.

Boots from Pickled and Peppered.

This girl.

This night, we all felt Coachella.

Music at dawn.

Late night reminders.

I, along with Cheyser and Farrah, talked about blogging at a university.

Pug at the One Fab Pooch Hotel opening.

Necklaces from Vanilla Zoo Handmade.

Soiree at Tea Amo.

Mango Passion fruit with pudding.

Chocolate cupcakes with mint icing.

Faking sunlights.

Aircon.

I colored my hair one more time before going away this summer. I’ll be going away and I’ll take more pictures with people I’ll have to meet. I will see you again, Manila… I’ll continue my summer there.

I’ll be flying to Manila in the morning, 8AM. See you, all won’t I? Message me!

How did you spend your summer? Was it fun? :) Let me know and tell me here.

X,

TheAidxParedes

Admit it or not, we all hate dress codes. Well, as for me, I hate the fact that I can’t wear shorts inside our school, and I can’t wear my sleeveless shirts on a hot school day. We are all haters of the guards who do not let us enter the gates of our universities because we might be wearing clothes that are too revealing, short, or inappropriate.

At these ranting times, I might as well hate the fact that the universities do not understand the fashion statements of the students. Too judgmental, perhaps? But I wish all schools were like UP, that they let the students wear whatever and they wouldn’t care because school is about education.

But really, we are supposed to be studying in school, and we should probably focus on the school stuff… And be fashionable, by abiding by the rules. We should respect what the university wants, and at the same time… Be our own selves.

Here are some shots that I took with Pickled and Peppered’s newest set of clothes for the girls! I personally got this and styled it for a come back shoot with my lovely muse, LA Subido. Take note, these photos were taken inside Ateneo de Davao University… Good thing the guards did not catch us.

School girls with strict dress codes, might as well prepare a cardigan and pure black leggings for you might need it to cover the unwanted parts be seen by the guards of your university! And, school girls without dress codes… Time to give the “I-don’t-give-a-fcuk-I’m-wearing-this-to-school” look!

Rugged Baby Doll

Blair Waldorf Wannabe

Miss Chuck Bass

Model Day Off

Party Extender

Dainty Daisy

Rihanna

School’s back for others, while others have a couple of weeks left to enjoy the fun under the sun. I know you’re all itching to walk the hallways in your loveliest first day of school outfit, might as well take ideas from the sets I’ve come up with?

Also, it’s the perfect week to shop at Pickled and Peppered now since they’re on sale! If you’re in Davao, go ahead and shop at 2/F Fashion Walk, Pickled and Peppered, Gaisano Mall of Davao!

Let’s all greet Pickled and Peppered a happy birthday! Post in their Facebook wall here. Or visit their blog at, www.pickledandpeppered.blogspot.com!

X,

TheAidxParedes

Some people may think of Davao as a place where fashion is unknown. But no, fashion is like a disease here in Davao and everyone’s infected. Fashion has reached epidemic proportions here in Davao, and seeing everyone in their fashionable mixing and matching techniques brightens up the future of a much bigger fashion scene here.

Here are some shots I took while attending events, meetings, and classes.

I used to say “pavements of fashion,” and almost a year has gone and I’ve stayed here in Davao for a couple of years, and maybe it’s time to say “an upcoming city of fashion.”

X,

TheAidxParedes

If you ask me who’s my inspiration in changing my hair color from normal to woah, I’d definitely say Mandy or Jad. I’ve loved Mandy’s guts since I saw her and her pink hair while walking around the university. I’ve loved how she dared to step out from the norms of the normal brown haired beautiful girl Ateneo de Davao has.

Mandy is undeniably beautiful.

I don’t know why Manic Mandy is the title of this post. But here’s a thing, I see Mandy as a wild girl going out for what she wants, enjoying her freedom. What do you think of her?

X,

TheAidxParedes