Tribal Pride

How do you define 'beauty'?

For the Ata community in Guimaras, Maruyog doesn't just mean beautiful. It signifies creativity and intricate, hard work. It is a representation of an age-old heritage, of sacred traditions and beliefs. It is an attempt to resurrect a culture that has long been forgotten by the urban society. It is innovation. It is hope for better tomorrows. All these are boxed in a tiny coconut shell container called Maruyog Charms.

Maruyog Charms are no ordinary bracelets or bangles. They are traditional amulets designed to blend in the sophistication of the modern world. Who would have thought that I'm wearing anting-antings in the photos below? These charms are so intricately handmade by the women and youth of the Ata community that it takes one person roughly an hour to finish one charm, and three(3) hours for one set (3 bracelets and a pair of earrings) to be done.

At close-up view, Maruyog Charms are consist of dried roots from special plants like Salindugok and Amigos which are believed to bring abundance, health and love to the person who wears it; special stones crushed into tiny pieces called Diamante Negra, provide protection from psychic attacks and can strengthen the aura; and a special coconut oil known as Lana that is believed to drain negative energy, provide serenity, and heal certain health conditions. The colored streaks represent colors of energy psychic centers, also known as Chakras.

These may all sound very superstitious but these are more than just amulets/accessories. Wearing these charms celebrate not only the stories of the women who handmade such spectacles, but also our own country's rich culture. Remembering our roots, the Philippines was first inhabited by our first ancestors, the Atas themselves. Perhaps it's just time to give back the recognition that they deserve. :)

Currently, the Team Maruyog, a non-government organization that facilitates the production of Maruyog Charms, is on its way to improving the quality and aesthetic value of the charms; with plans of incorporating them into bag and clothing design to further provide livelihood opportunities for the Ata community.

These charms are sold at the Team's online store, partner boutiques, trade fares or expos, and specialty stores.

Let us help the Ata community build better lives. Let us empower them to restore the cultural pride that has slowly vanished through the years. 

Get your own Maruyog Charms now! :)

For orders, refer to Maruyog Charms' Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maruyog-Charms/422990001071109?fref=ts

These accessories aren't limited to bohemian-inspired outfits! Click this link for another styling idea: http://wearismela.blogspot.com/2012/09/conspiracy-theory.html

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top: Mizar Clothing | skirt and purse: vintage from Mom | shoes:  AsianVogue Shop | Accessories: Maruyog Charms | photos by Jo Andrew Torlao

Did you join this giveaway: WWW Thank You Treat? Well, good luck! The two (2) winners will be drawn tomorrow. If you haven't, don't worry! Since it's my birthday month, I am cooking another surprise treat for you. :D

Much love,
Mela

Conspiracy Theory

I have a default prayer every Saturday afternoon: "Oh Lord, good weather please?"

It's the only time of the week when I can dress up and go out as if I'm fun-loving like everyone else who don't have exams every Monday. That didn't happen last week. Well, almost. It was raining so hard I thought another typhoon's going to hit the city again. See, Iloilo is just flood-prone like that. A bit of rain can  overwhelm the drainage and make everything overflow to the streets. 

I almost wanted to give my plan up because aside from damaging my shoes, it's unsafe and impractical to get myself wet and bother April at the studio. See, there are times when despite how badly we want to do something, the whole world seems to put some tall brick wall to separate us from our desires. It could be heavy rains or floods or schoolwork or your job or discouraging remarks from the people around. In my case, it's being away from home (not having my own DSLR or my brother photographer handy, the need to commute,etc.) and being in medical school per se. I know I shouldn't blame medical school because I chose this path but it just gets more and more demanding every week that most of the time, the need to set aside non-academic stuff arises. 

But but, no matter how cliche the saying is, I just believe that "If you really want something, the whole world conspires in helping you achieve it". I still believe in my power to make things happen with the grace of Someone up there of course, to allow them to happen. To make the story short, the rain stopped at 4pm and despite the flood, I was able to walk on dry ground and meet up with April who was very nice to lend me a few minutes. Happy ending, ay? :)

What's so special about these bracelets? These trinkets are handmade and stuffed with herbs that are believed to bring safety and attract people and good luck by Aetas from Sitio Kati-Kati, Guimaras. Whatever your beliefs are, purchasing these can transform the lives of our brothers and sisters from this indigenous community. 

Visit Maruyog Charms in Facebook for more details. :)

photos by April Rose Garcia

I HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

It's Medicine Week (rest, rest, rest, yayyy!)

Two collaborations are coming up (whoa!)

This is redundant but I'm finally a Candymag.com It Girl On The Web! It took me 5 years to bring this dream to life. I used to download all the photos of It Girls and play the slideshow as my screensaver. Those It Girls are actually the top tier fashion bloggers now. That's how I knew all of them (became Facebook friends with them) before they even had their own sites! HAHA. I'm such a stalker. Anyway, click this link to view the feature: http://www.candymag.com/fashion/style-files/style-files-lia-carmela-delfin/ 

What's keeping you from chasing after that dream?

Dream the impossible dream because really, nothing is impossible!

Much love,

Mela

P.S. You might want to join this giveaway! :)

http://wearismela.blogspot.com/2012/09/www-thank-you-treat.html

Sunny Down South.

I set foot on Mindanao for the first time last October!

I thought I'd be staying there only for the weekend but it became almost a week-long adventure.

The trip wasn't intended for vacation, though. 

I, plus three others, were invited by the Bishop of Marbel to facilitate the first Sons and Daughters' Encounter in Mindanao. 

Oodles of excitement, hesitation, rationalization (because it entailed sacrificing my semestral break) surged in my system before, during, and even after that life-changing expedition.

Even so, I didn't regret each setback and discomfort along the way.

Besides, what could be more rewarding than serving the Lord, enjoying and learning at the same time?

With the T'bolis at Lake Sebu!

I couldn't be more shaken when I found out that  they booked us Super Ferry instead of plane tickets!

It was one of the longest trips I had in my life, and one of the most pleasurable too. :)

What we assumed as a mini-mall turned out to have a spiral driveway to the rooftop parking area!

(General Santos City)

First lunch at Marbel, South Cotabato--Biarong Resto!

After having dinner at the Bishop's Palace, we rolled up to this place -- a micro resort and restau where you can see a bird's eye view of Marbel.

One ideal setting for an exclusive date with your loved one!

Because I couldn't give my phone up during the sacrificial gift offering, I surrendered my camera in place of it. Hence, I don't have photos of the actual encounter with the teens. :(

We went to Lake Sebu on my last day (my flight back was 2 days earlier than the others).

For a brief intro, Lake Sebu (sebu meaning lake) is one of the leading tourist destinations in South Cotabato. It has seven falls, *google, google!* and it also houses the highest zipline in Southeast Asia (600feet above the ground) and the second longest in the Philippines (740meters long on the first ride and 400meters on the second).

 I am very proud to say that I survived that wild, wild zipline experience!!!

I'm very happy too that I left the CD with the copies of my photos while zipline-ing in Iloilo.

I don't want any of you to see an aswang flying in the sky.

Up-close and personal with Falls No.1!

Jumpshot FAIL.

It took the operators forever to convince me that I will come back to the station awake and alive.

Falls No. 5.

Had lunch at a restau that serves all-tilapia dishes!

Chicharong tilapia was my favorite!!

Second on my fave list: Kinilaw na Tilapia. It tasted more like salad. :)

Punta Isla Resort.

Lelelelelels.

Boating around Lake Sebu! I froze on my seat when I learned that it was 2000ft deep. :|

Ze tourguide.

We stopped over to take pictures at Surralah, South Cotabato's two center domes that caught our eyes at first sight.

Rode a bus to Davao alone. 

I finally saw Mt. Apo!!! 

And BTW, thanks to my pseudo-big brother Mike who treated me for lunch and gave me these goodies!

I don't really see myself living in sunny, desert-ish Cotabato 

but I'd definitely want to explore more of Mindanao, learn Bisaya, and go on another zipline experience prepared and prettified so I wouldn't anymore need to hide my photos from you guys! HEHE.

On another note, I'm launching my first blog giveaway tomorrow! Yes, TOMORROW! 

Two lucky winners will be chosen! 

Please please support it. :D

Thankyouverymuch!

Much <3,

Mela