Maniolas

Bamboozled: One of Gucci’s Florentine artisans showcases the baffling intricacies of Gucci’s renowned trademark: the bamboo handle. MANILA, Philippines – And now, the in-house monogramming service of Gucci allows for your name, initials or any choice term of endearment to be hand-stamped in your artisanal piece. Nothing tops off an outfit quite like an It bag. With prices reaching six digits while safely secured by monogram hardware, designer bags turn a seeming- ly plain wardrobe into a priceless pièce de résistance. Yet with all the little details to consider, from a designer’s signature to an age-old label’s insignia, the color, the leather, the size, or the quirky moniker, there are times when all that really matters, in the language of eternal style, is the handiwork. For 93-year-old Florentine luxury house Gucci, despite its iconic double-G insignia, the truest mark of a quintessential handbag is its immaculate craftsmanship. Founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, who served as an immigrant bellhop in an opulent Parisian hotel, Guccio acquired a penchant for impec- cable luggage that came with his well-heeled guests. Being a native of the same Italian town that produced the masters like Cimabue, Giotto, Donatello, and Brunelleschi, Guccio Gucci established a shop with pure traditional artisanal processes and supreme quality leather as foundations, and built that gilded global atelier we know today. Fast-forward to when industrial processes started to keep up with growing international demand for luxury goods, Gucci, under the tenure of creative director Frida Giannini, remains unfazed by the Read More …

Thousands of undocumented Filipinos living in the United States must have been dismayed by President Barack Obama’s sensational immigration relief. I’m sure they were expecting a much broader immigration reform. They thought for awhile that the contents of the Executive Order of the President on immigration will pave the way for their citizenship, or at least  for them to become permanent residents. The  order as it turned out is just a temporary relief. It will not even provide healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants. It is still up to the Republican dominated Congress to pass legislation to overhaul  the country’s immigration policies. Some Filipinos here in Orange country said Obama’s immigration program for the undocumented is far too limited. Although the Obama immigration relief is temporary, I hope it will eventually compel Congress to act on the comprehensive immigration reform bill to provide lasting solution to America’ s flawed immigration policies. Under the new immigration program contained in the Executive Order recently signed by President Obama, qualified aliens will be given works permits, driver’s license and a three year protection from deportation, provided they pass criminal background checks and pay back taxes. It will also delay the deportation of undocumented parents of children who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The new immigration law will also protect  children brought in illegally by their parents in America before January 1, 2010. However, these privileges being given to undocumented immigrants who qualify under the new government program, are only good for three Read More …

Julie Anne San Jose (MNS Photo) Hologram technology has been astonishing concertgoers abroad for some time now. It’s been used to bring dead artists back to “life” through digital illusion, including Tupac Shakur in 2012 and Michael Jackson last May. Multi-platinum recording artist Julie Anne San Jose is set to stage a solo concert that her drumbeaters claim would make her the first artist to be holographic in a local show. “I’m excited and, of course, pressured (kasi) dito po talaga natin makikita ’yung advancement ng technology. Of course, makikita ninyo (rin) ’yung other side ni Julie Anne (in the show),” she said. Along with the singer, an “army of Julie Annes” will be “virtualized” in a powerful opening dance number. According to a release, Julie Anne is set to showcase powerful vocals, electrifying dance moves and talent in playing various musical instruments in the concert. Admittedly nervous over filling up the huge concert venue, Julie Anne has been preparing for the big day so her audience would get their money’s worth. “May mga dance lessons po ako and voice lessons. I’ve been preparing a lot kasi po kailangang lumakas ang stamina ko. I work out, I go to the gym, I do rehearsals hanggang sa ma-perfect ko ’yung mga production numbers na gagawin ko,” she said. Julie Anne’s “Hologram” concert will be at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Dec. 13. The show is directed by Louie Ignacio and produced by GMA Network, Inc. and Tarroza Entertainment Productions. Julie Read More …