A: Women's week special: Talk about GIRL POWER! The women I look up to.

Remember those days when women did not have the right to vote, to study, and basically to have a promising future? Boy did we kick that period in the a$$ or what?! Women have stood up for countries, for religion, for their beliefs, and slowly, have shown to the world that we all have voices that should be heard.

There are a lot of women who made big differences in the world, and most of them did not only make a mark in history, but more importantly, in the hearts of many. I have women I look up to whose footsteps I’d like to follow. And in celebration of Women’s month, I’d like to share how these feisty ladies help me believe that I too, can be anything I want to be.

Lea Salonga

Photo source: www.broadway.com

Photo source: newsviewintl.blogspot.sg

Lea Salonga is a pure-Filipina actress/singer/endorser who made her mark in the world through her roles in stage plays like Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, her voice in Disney movies Mulan and Aladdin, and many other appearances on TV, movies, magazines, and the list goes on and on. She was, during her teen years, part of the entertainment show, “That’s Entertainment”, and has been one of the really talented inclusions in the Philippine showbiz industry. She since then has not stopped appearing on TV, the big screen, and on stage plays. She, with the use of her voice, has captured the hearts of people all over the world.Now you hear the name Lea Salonga and you immediately associate it with “powerful voice”. 

I look at Lea and see a person who was determined to make a mark in the world, and she made sure she did. She makes me believe that it doesn't matter what your nationality is, if you have what it takes, then you have to keep your mind focused and reach for your dreams.  Plus, isn’t she just a really pretty face? I remember scanning through the pages of my mom’s Avon brochure just looking at their beautiful endorser; Lea.

Wanda Sykes

Photo source: www.thetvaddict.com

Photo source: www.exposay.com

Aside from being hilarious, Wanda is known to be someone who strongly stands up for gay rights. I’ve seen two kinds of videos of Wanda Sykes, one is with her standing on stage, making people laugh with her witty jokes, and the other one is standing on stage, making people happy because she’s standing up for what she believes is right. For someone like me who believes that I should stand up for what I strongly believe in, getting to witness how famous people like herself do the same is a big encouragement.

I remember on one of her stand up acts, she shared that she shops at Target, and when a person from the audience asked her why a celebrity like her goes there,  she dropped this, "I'm a celebrity, but I'm not a dumb celebrity, ". I found her answer really funny, and at the same time it reflects simplicity. She, on my opinion, is one of the funniest stand up comediennes there is, and yet, she remains to be down to earth. She also loves to inject a piece of her personal life in her acts, and through them, laughing at my own flaws and mistakes is a lot easier.

Ellen DeGeneres

Photo source: www.justjared.com

Photo source: www.dailymail.co.uk

She’s gay. So what? She’s fun, hip, and she loves to share her blessings to people. She did not only help raise even more the already raised women flag, she went ahead and raised the gay flag with it. If there is something I learned from her, it’s that you shouldn't care about how people will perceive you, the goodness of your intentions will always shine brighter than all the negativity people will throw at you. Now isn't her show just one of the highest ranking shows of its kind?

She showed the world that your gender preference has nothing to do with who you are and who you can be as a person. And I just adore her even more when she lets people take a glimpse of her personal life by sharing her life events with her wife, Portia De Rossi.

Oprah Winfrey

Photo source: www.stylishthought.com

Photo source: www.blog.zap2it.com

When Oprah talks, everybody listens. She has this charisma that I think works towards almost everyone. I look at her and I see a person who is kicking racial discrimination one butt cheek at a time. It was never an easy road for Oprah as well. She’s from a poor family, and she had to work at an early age. But these things didn't stop her. Now we all know her as that person who doesn't only handle great interviews, doesn't only help boost the morale and confidence of her viewers through the positivity she promotes, she is that person who doesn't hesitate to share her blessings. “You’re getting one, you’re getting one, everybody’s getting one,” is her most famous line during my most favorite episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show; Oprah’s favorite things.

It seems as if she feels that it's part of her duty to help raise the spirits of every woman in the world, especially those women of color, and those who have gone through different kinds of hell in their lives. And that intention alone makes her a blessing to everyone.

Her drive and her positivity makes me believe, that if she can do it, I can do it too. Because of her, the fire inside me and the hope that I can be anything I want to be has not died.

Lynn Dipasupil

 Isn't she lovely? :)

Hahahahaha!

Love her!

I bet you haven’t heard of her name, I bet you have not seen any of her photos, I bet you have not heard of any movie she starred in, and that is because she’s not a celebrity, not a talk show host, not a singer. She is my mom.

I think it is evident through my previous entries that my mom is a single mom, and I am her only child. She is a very strong person, and whoever I am today, is because of her. She was there when I said my first words, and is always there when I talk my heart out, she helped me make my first steps, and is always there to support every step I make in life, she heard my first cry, and is always there when I pour tears of sadness, she loved me since day one, and now, I know the meaning of love.

Because of her, I know that being alone is not the same with as being lonely. Because of her I know that people can come and go in your life, and when people choose to leave you, it doesn't mean you stop living. Because of her, I know the meaning of sacrifice, and I know why there are people you are willing to sacrifice your own happiness for. Because of her, I know that there is nothing wrong with living a simple life. Because of her, I know that when someone gets mad at you and points out to you your mistakes, then you should be thankful because you are loved. Because of her, I know how to take care of myself. Because of her, I know the importance of knowing when you should be independent and when you should ask for guidance. Because of her, I believe in my One and Only Savior.

Inside my mom’s small physique is a big strong woman whose courage, devotion, and love is overflowing. And she continues to inspire me to become who I want to be.

It's neither our height nor our body size, not the color of our skin, and more importantly not our gender that can dictate the things that we can and cannot do. We all just need to have a dream,  to have the heart to reach for the dream, to get some push from people we love, and encouragement from people who have proved the world that no obstacle can be big enough to stop someone whose heart is burning with willpower. 

I salute all the women who are making marks in the world by giving helping hands, saving lives, protecting their countries, loving their kids, and being the strong person that they are.


Spread the positivity! :)

- A  

A&J: 5 YouTube channels you don't want to miss out on!

If you know Achmed; the dead terrorist, Charlie; who bit his brother's finger, some "wins" and "fails" of different years, some bloopers from your favorite TV series, tutorials, and tons of parodies, then you probably visit Youtube as often as we do. We all know the site has a lot more other videos aside from the ones mentioned, included in those videos that some of you may also know are those Youtube sensations that are now singers with big hits. We know some of them aren't even talented, but what the heck, that's the power of Youtube!

We will always thank Youtube for saving us from those boring long trips to places, dull times at home, lousy shows on cable TV, and for entertaining us when there is no new interesting entry on Facebook or 9gag. We like going on Youtube to watch random videos, but we LOVE visiting video channels we are subscribed to and check out their latest video entries.

Today, we're going to share with you our top 5 favorite Youtube channels, and why we can't get enough of them!

Top 1 (Bebi J and bebi A's pick): ELLEN DEGENERES

Oh Ellen, Y U SO FUNNY? Haha! We are crazy about her! What's not to love about her? She's fun, she's hip, she's cool, and just the things she makes her writers and other staff do? Ugh! Such a cool boss! Ellen, if you can read this, please employ us! We will ride all the scary rides, eat gross-looking food, and do weird things! Or we can be two sexy foot rests if you're company is packed. :D -A

We also love how she engages with her audience, example, Ellen digs into some of her audience's facebook pages and makes her own story off of them! Haha! And, she really has some great staff because they always manage to find the coolest and cutest youtube videos! One of our favorites from Ellen are Sophia Grace and Rosie, they're just so cute adorable and very talented. We always watch out for them in Ellen's channel. We're also crazy for the different segments that she posts on her youtube channel like Know or Go, Just Kid Ink, Clumsy Thubsy, etc. And lastly, it's always very touching how generous and caring she is when she gives out life changing gifts to deserving people. -J

And just to show how fun Ellen's channel is, here's her latest video:

Top 2 (Bebi J's pick): PIXIWOO / GOSSMAKEUPARTIST

I am kinda cheating with this because Bebi A and i are supposed to have 2 YouTube channels each, because we already agreed who should be our top 1, Ellen! ;) But, I am just torn between these two. Both of these channels are the reasons why my mom is calling me a “makeup nazi” or a “makeup hoarder”! Haha! But honestly, everything I know now about makeup is because of them. And, I have to say I learned from (I think) the best makeup gurus there is in Youtube. They are both so nice and not alienating in any way, especially for beginners. They also give extensive product reviews to save anyone from wasting their money on products that are just not worth it! They also do not use any jargons that only makeup experts speak, and that makes them easy to understand. Just to show how helpful their tips are here are my favourite tutorials from both channels.

Pixiwoo: Is a youtube channel put up by two sisters that are passionate Makeup Artists, Sam and Nic Chapman. Sam already has her own makeup brush line, and I have almost all her brushes and I will complete them very soon ;)  

Gossmakeupartist: He is a male MUA named Wayne Goss and that intrigued me so much I had to watch his makeup tutorials! And they are all great and very practical. Wayne is very fearless when it comes to makeup reviews and does not yield even with bigwigs like “Chanel”! He’s one of the most honest makeup guru I've watched on Youtube! 

Top 3 (Bebi A's pick): JENNA MARBLES  

You think you know funny crazy? Think again.

My boyfriend was the one who introduced me to Jenna's video channel. One video was all it took for me to get really hooked to her channel. She posts really funny vidoes about random things, and that's what makes the channel really fun. You don't know what to expect. I personally love her video titled, "What Nicki Minaj looks for in a man".

 

Top 2 (Bebi J's pick): AngKikayKo by Teena Arches
 

Teena is a Filipina makeup guru and it was through her that I became aware of different local makeup brands. I owe it to her that now, I know Dollface, Shawill, and Ever Bilena (all local brands) have very good makeup products as well! It was also through her that I have come to know Pixiwoo. She is a very hyper makeup guru! I can’t help but laugh everytime I watch her videos. She also do really “Philippine weather-friendly” makeup tutorials! Haha! She also does some very funny vlogs! She is very spontaneous and I can totally relate to her because she is a body image warrior as well! She is a certified Plump Pinay and I am definitely one too. I came to know about Teena when she was featured in Plumpinay; another blog site here in the Philippines. She inspires me, and I bet tons more people, a lot, and let me tell you, she's even younger than me!!! I’ve also won some brush freebies from her giveaway, so extra love for her! :D

Here’s my favourite video from her channel. It's not a tutorial, it's more like a funny rant video:

Top 5 (Bebi A's pick):  BEBEXOXO

I have made it clear on our first joint entry that I am not someone who knows how to put makeup on. I leave the house with a dab of lipstick and lipgloss and with my brows done. I am loving the simple and very natural look, but given the chance, I'd like to be able to stay a little longer in front of the mirror and hold a brush and an eye shadow pallette and know what to do with them. And that is exactly one of the reasons why I love going to Bebexoxo's Youtube video channel.

The array of tutorials she has, from shaping your brows, to putting on blush, getting that smokey-eyed effect, and doing your hair are all amazing! And plus, she's really cute! Haha! I see her like a tiny (the courage for me to say she's tiny... like am over 5'3"! haha!) fairy who can grant you your three beauty wishes.

And, that completes our top 5 youtube channels, We hope you found some interesting stuff from this lineup of inspiring, funny, and witty bunch of ladies! And, if you have a favorite youtube channel that you want to share with everybody, please just leaave their links in the comment box and we'll check them out!

That is it for now and if we may borrow Ellen's favorite line; Be kind to one another, Bye! :)

- J & A