9.1 The Traveler: Randz Manucom

John Randolph "Randz" Manucom, IV BS Management Information Systems

Girls Generation, Super Junior and 2ne1 are only some of the many Kpop sensation that we love and probably the only thing we know about Korea (other than kimchi, bibimbap and korean ice cream). What we don't know beyond the talented Kpop stars and the spicy korean food, is the creative and unique Korean fashion. Having Korea as his JTA destination, Randz had an opportunity to experience the korean fashion for four months.

Aside from his mom wanting him only to stay in Asia, Randz chose to study in Sogang University, Seoul, South Korea because of his fascination with Kpop culture. Kpop doesn't only makes us hold our breath because of their unique choreography and how Sandara is now a singing sensation, they have been also setting up trends in terms of fashion and style. Randz narrated to us that he actually had to step up his game in terms of blending in with the crowd in dressing up. With an environment that prioritizes their outfits and their looks, Randz was able to learn the skill of layering, the art of putting on accessories and the mix-matching of colors.

 

What is he wearing?

In this look, Randz embodied the skills that he learned while he was still in JTA. He is wearing what is considered a simple yet expressive style that characterizes his creative personality. As he had mentioned in his interview, his style evolved after JTA. "My style is urban streetwear meets playful accents. By streetwear I mean the grungy, unkempt look while mixing it with playful[ness] which is usually composed of dashing colors, patterns and socks! It's an interesting mix! :)" Randz, inspired by the korean fashion, advices the Bluebook readers that , "It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it. AND! Dress up as how you want to be acknowledged."

To get to know Randz more and to see his JTA adventure, follow his blog. 

Advice from the Bluebook: Dress up as how you want to be acknowledged.

9.0 The Traveler: Jieneb Kho

Every year, the John Gokongwei School of Management, School of Social Science, School of Science & Engineering and the Fine Arts Program of the School of Humanities send more than a hundred Ateneans (on their Junior Year) abroad to study, travel and experience a whole new environment for learning and total independence. This is the Junior Term Abroad Program, or JTA. JTA is an exchange program that allows Ateneans to study in the partner University of Ateneo located across Asia, Australia, United States and Europe for either the fall semester or the spring semester. In fact most of those who enrolled in the fall semester this school year are either flying out soon or are already in their JTA destinations. The Bluebook thinks it's timely to ask   some of 2010's JTA students about their experiences abroad and their fashion tips while out of the country.

Jieneb Kho, IV BS Communications Technology Management

Have you ever experience walking around Florence with a gelato in one hand while listening to local street musician sing in Italian? Jieneb did and she toured in style! For JTA last year, Jieneb chose to study in Audencia Grande Ecole de Management in Nantes, France (just 2 hours away from Paris) for her JTA fall semester. Out of the many things that she brought along with her to France, she didn't forget to bring her infectious smile and her eagerness to face the challenges of what lies ahead. During her JTA stay, she got to experience meeting new friends that came from all over the world, traveling alone using the transportation system, getting lost on her own and so much more, but that didn't falter her spirit because she knows it's all part of the experience. If you'll be describing Jieneb with one quote, it will be a quote from How I Met Your Mother, "Challenge Accepted". 

What is she wearing?

At the photoshoot, Jieneb was wearing a laid back outfit ( a pair of shorts and a semi-dressy top) which is ironic to her outgoing character. This is because she always wants to be comfortable with whatever she's wearing. She doesn't want her clothing to restrict her from moving or from doing her activities. She also narrates to the Bluebook that some people think that it's hard to blend-in in France, especially with the notion of people seemed to be always dressed up. "Everyone is pretty laid back and would just wear what they want to and what they felt was comfortable" Jieneb explained. 

During her JTA stay, she usually wore stockings, boots, trench coat and scarf. She also mentioned she loved the cold weather because it was something that she took advantage of in terms of layering and mix-matching clothes. She also gave a tip for the Bluebook readers with regard to what to wear when traveling especially in France during the Fall season. She said it's essential to wear boots and a chic trench coat for comfort and for style. Jieneb left the Bluebook crew one final advice, "Wear something you feel comfortable in. At the end of the day, it's how your carry yourself."

Advice from the Bluebook: At the end of the day, it's how you carry yourself.

6.3 The Senior Syndrome: Bea Tan

Beatrice Tan, IV AB Interdisciplinary Studies

In a campus where everyone is judged initially according to his or her face value, Bea Tan truly stands out. Do not be fooled with her intimidating mataray vibe because beneath this façade lies a friendly senior with a warm and humble heart. With her chinky black eyes and smooth radiant skin, she can capture the attention of many, especially the men. But she’s more than a pretty face, evident by her modest and outgoing personality and string of accomplishments which her close friends can agree with.She actually is the type of girl who loves to sketch doodle paint when she is bored and to try out any sports, like surfing and sky diving, even if she is not good at it.

What is she wearing?

Most people see this incredibly beauteous lass wearing clothes with skin tone colors, and this is why Bea chose this look for her casual graduation photo.  Moreover, she is into anything sheer that would make her yellow skin glow.  This is interesting because not all ladies out there do not see this as an advantage if they want to look more radiant, without putting too much make-up. Also, this can also give you a fresher look even if you are handling a great deal of stress because of hell weeks.  Without any doubt, we can see why she would always look fashionable yet presentable at all times. 

One of the fashion secrets Bea shares to us is to definitely fit before buying. Sometimes, even if the clothes look good, they will simply look good on a mannequin. We all have different body types and it would be for our own good if we know what is the best for us. We should not let the trend itself merely let us decide in choosing what to wear. By embracing our own size and who we really are, we will be able to have better and wiser decisions and greater confidence. 

Advice from BlueBook: Know what is best for your body type.

6.2 The Senior Syndrome: Niqui Leong

Angiele Leong, IV BS Management in Applied Chemistry

No, she does not own the Leong Hall in Ateneo. Nor is she a typical gorgeous Atenean who just basically knows how to dress well. As feminine as she may look in her pictures, Niqui Leong actually exceedingly enjoys not-so-girly activities such as lasertagging, white water-rafting, and getting sunburnt all over while riding an all-terrain vehicle up a volcano. And even if it seems that she practically owned her casual shots for the yearbook, this senior humbly shares to us that she never enjoyed yearbook photoshoots, ever since that period in prep. She was frequently dissatisfied with what the outcomes looked like. So the result of the pictorial she had just recently was such a huge pleasant surprise!

Since sophomore year in high school, Niqui has always been interested in how clothes are made, all the little details from designing to manufacturing. Being in college, she finds herself constantly learning and appreciating the variety of styles of different people. This helped her find a style that is comfortable, yet which makes her feel pretty and a lot different from the stereotypical unexciting laboratory-dwellers which some people usually think students from her bloody hellish course would end up being. 

What is she wearing?

It’s being presentably sundressed-up. She chose to wear this dress for the casual graduation pictorial because it is full of bright colors, which suits how energetic and crazy she often gets.  However, even if she needed to wear the cardigan to cover herself up to follow the dress-code, she still looks presentable and chic at the same time. She tells us that despite what some sites say about the color red when it comes to white backgrounds in pictorials, she still chose to make red the dominating color for her whole look because she knew for a fact that she would look and feel great in it. 

Blake Christina Lively, or most known as Serena Van Der Woodsen of the popular television series Gossip Girl, is one of the style icons Niqui admires. She has always loved Blake Lively because the American actress-model is perfectly fit, has a great smile and knows how to be sexy yet elegant at the same time.

In Ateneo, our lovely senior is just a normal student who is trying to survive Chemistry. But she believes that  surviving is done best with people she has known in her college life, who make every class enjoyable and worthwhile. A day does not go by for her without having a good laugh at something, even how shallow it may be.

Advice from BlueBook: Know the best colors that would make you shine. 

6.1 The Senior Syndrome: Ean Dacay

Ean Dacay, IV BS Communication Technology Management

Quite the prodigy, Ean Dacay is extremely well-adept in various multimedia editing software which he uses to compliment his love for photography. If you're active in any of the different organizations in Ateneo, chances are you might have worked with him before. You could say he does a lot of freelance and is frequently recruited to help out with photoshoots and promotions. To those who finds his name very familiar, it's probably because a lot of his photographs are featured in the Guidon. He shares that he prefers taking the pictures rather than being photographed himself.

What is he wearing?

You'll probably recognize him with his unique pair of glasses whose shape is quite unconventional. For his casual shoot, he chose one of his typical Ateneo outfits. You will see him wearing a simple checkered short sleeved polo and ash colored jeans, a comfortable wardrobe choice that is still in check with SOM dress codes. 

Preferring to work in the background rather than being the center of attention. The color scheme seems to be a bit more paler as compared to the bold colors that people tend to gravitate to nowadays. "Wear what you want and don't be pressured to dress a certain way" is what Ean told us and we at the Bluebook completely agree. Ultimately, your look should be used to compliment or highlight your personality not overpower it.

Advice from BlueBook: Don't let fashion trends dictate your look.

6.0 The Senior Syndrome: Meg Manzano

Meg Manzano, IV AB Interdisciplinary Studies

Previously, we brought you the freshest faces of the Ateneo community. For its sixth week we are paying homage to the senior whom we all know and love: The graduating batch of epic year of 2012. Graduation pictorials are taking place and Aegis has been doing a superb job for this yearbook. Casual shots are done to showcase the Atenean's real personality and character in school and this is what we want to share with you for this week.

"I can wolf down chicken nuggets, cheeseburger, spaghetti, large Coke, and a hot fudge sundae from Mcdo in one sitting. My biggest frustration is my inability to gain weight...which doesn't at all help me with my dream of one day being gloriously fat."

 -Meg Manzano 

(we are so jealous of you and your non-existent dilemma)

Meg describes herself as the "little writer girl in pursuit of that dream of constant deadlines and bylines". Quite the quirky and fascinating she a little nostalgic over the 90s and has yet to educate and update her taste in muzak. In her free time she enjoys exploring her artsy side playing around with paint, photoshop, and photography. Although she admits that her skills may not be up to par with some of her peers, her mastery in the art of powerpoint-making and the lovely craft of writing is in itself  quite a talent. Quite the renaissance woman, she loves to pursue her various hobbies and interests.  She has been playing futsal ever since she was thirteen years old but and loves the chance to get on a field and go kick balls (and butts).As an IS major she is able to take up both Polical Science and Communications as her two tracks. It may seem like an unusual combination but she shares that reading up in Polsci introduces her to a whole new world that allows her to look life in another perspective that she is able to express in various mediums.

What is she wearing:

Typically very moody when it comes to her style, she admits that there are times that she gets a bit lazy at times coming to school in nothing but  her jogging pants, a cashmere sweater and sneakers just because she wanted to sleep in that morning. Her general look could be described magulo or in other words rather low key and subtle. She likes to keep it casual, simple and a tad southern. She cites Erin Wasson as her style icon admiring her cool, indie, and understated vibe that she is able to bring to her outfits and the demure way she carries herself. 

Functionality ranks very high in her wardrobe choices sharing that she is guilty of buying dresses with pockets on the side. Shades are also a definite must have for Meg. The sun rays are definitely enemy number one in Ateneo  and she makes sure that she never leaves the house without her trusty pair of shades. As a senior she gives some words of wisdom and says that investing in a few key pieces would be a good idea and great addition to any wardrobe. Go for simplicity and pieces that you can easily match and pair up. At present, her flesh colored spring desert boots are her go to item that she loves to match with different outfits. Exuding a rather relaxed and laid-back style, she keeps it simple with neutral colors and the occasional stripe or floral pattern.

Advice from the Bluebook: Functionality and practically are key to any casual look