Saturday, September 29, 2012

A Great Find: Gothic Lolita Shoes! ♥



WHERE: Joemil's RTW in E-mall, 2nd floor
PRICE: P100.00 only!

Though these aren't your extraordinary, chunky platform Gothic Lolita shoes, who could resist buying them?



Actually, my elder sister was the one who bought them not so long ago. I've been eyeing on this pair since last month though, but it still wasn't on sale. When my sister went out around a week ago, the store had a sale so she just had to buy them because she also likes the style. Oh well, who owns it doesn't matter. What matters is who's Goth, and the same rack our shoes are on. HAHAHAHAHA :p

My Two Unbirthdays

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"Only one day of the year was one's birthday," he said. "Therefore, the other 364 days were unbirthdays."



"Why, then today is my unbirthday too!" Alice said.




Yesterday and today were just two of my 364 unbirthdays, so I decided to throw a party and have fun! Hahahaha, kidding, actually, I just moved my birthday celebration during these two days. I couldn't just leave a year without a cake and some ice cream just because of those meddling measles, you know. But I like how "unbirthday" sounds, so whatever these celebrations are for, it's still an unbirthday to me.



Day 1!

I invited some friends over at my place during the afternoon. We cooked spaghetti, ate some chips and ice cream, then had a funny karaoke session. The silent and peaceful neighborhood I lived in was perturbed by our loud laughter and ugly singing voices! xD


 

My friends AREN'T Goth. But I'm loved. ♥

They went home by five thirty. I went to the city to attend a Christian rock concert I was invited to, after I rode with them in a jeepney to get them home.



I enjoyed the concert! It seemed like I was the only Catholic around in that jam-packed room. This isn't my first time in religious, non-Catholic events though. And I've observed that these non-Catholics are more open-minded and friendlier :|

Oh well, albeit that's kind of undeniable, I'll still remain Catholic, because it's not your religion that saves you, but your relationship with the Supreme Being.

She's my classmate from PE class. She invited me! :3
The holy and fun concert brought me closer to God and reminded me that I'm always loved and infinitely blessed. Thank You God!

Day 2!

The date today is special! I'm glad this day was one of the days I celebrated an unbirthday in because today is... today is...! Today's my crush's birthday! HAHAHAHAHA XD


My eldest brother's girlfriend had long before planned to take me to a salon in SM City Cebu during my birthday to have a facial cleaning together, but since she couldn't make it because she's tired from work and needs some sleep, my brother went with me instead. He didn't like the idea of getting a facial cleaning because he finds it gay so he just paid for me and waited outside. xD

blurry :|
 Inside the facial cleaning room (or whatever it's called), there was this guy costumer next to me who had a hat that interested me so well. It was Portgas D. Ace's hat (Ace is an anime character from One Piece, a series I used to be addicted to when I was in elementary), and I couldn't help but ask where he got it from.

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So yeah, our conversation started from that hat. Later, as we talked, I learned he was also a CosPlayer. When he learned that I was a Goth, he told me he was also Goth when he was in college! He's from Marikina, though, not from Cebu. Anways, it's nice meeting someone who used to be a Goth. ^w^

My brother treated me lunch in KFC afterwards. I ordered some carbonara, and it was reeeeally tasty!

YUM! ♥

My brother and I went home by around 6.

At around 7:30, my dad arrived home with a birthday cake, so yeah, I had my birthday dinner just this night. They even sang me a Happy Birthday though it was already almost 2 weeks late. Well, it doesn't matter. It's just great to celebrate your birthday on your crush's birthday. :p

I'm not allowed to dress up all gothy in a birthday celebration :|
I LOVE CREAM-O! ♥

THANK YOU GOD for everything!
and in one way or another, for those measles! xD



Now Playing: The Unbirthday Song by Rosemary Clooney xD


Sunday, September 23, 2012

Goths Are Evil? DAFUQ!



One main reason why non-goths think we're Satanists is the dominant color we're clad in.

Okay, I know, I know. Non-goths who say that are ignorant, judgmental, close-minded; they think they know it all, they're stupid. But darklings, let's face it. Villains dress in black, the evil ones love darkness, and in darkness there is chaos, hatred, anger, bloodshed, and sorrow. However dear non-goth readers, I would like to tell you that THAT is not all what darkness is about, and the kind of darkness you always associate us with has NEVER been within us, nor has it been who we are. Well, I don't know about the other wannabe goths out there, but as for me, puh-lease, COUNT ME OUT. As far as I'm aware, the real purpose of the subculture isn't anything evil.

Let's review the basics.

The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify. Its imagery and cultural proclivities indicate influences from the 19th century Gothic literature along with horror films and to a lesser extent the BDSM culture. The goth subculture has associated tastes in music, aesthetics, and fashion. The music of the goth subculture encompasses a number of different styles including gothic rock, deathrock, post-punk, darkwave, Ethereal, and neoclassical. Styles of dress within the subculture range from deathrock, punk and Victorian style attire, or combinations of the above, most often with dark attire, makeup and hair. (Wikipedia)

This subculture was rooted mainly from music, and now has forms in fashion and aesthetic. That's all I think it covers. No initiation, affiliation, religion, practices or whatnot.

Goths are just normal people like everybody else. We are called so, because of our different and unique interests that -- though how diverse -- fall under the same category. We like post-punk, deathrock, etc. because you like dance pop and RnB. We have our own fashion because you have yours. We like black because you like blue (or red, or purple, or pink, or green..)

SO WHAT?

Why the scorn, why the judgments when we didn't even do anything wrong to society? Why question our interests when we didn't mind questioning yours?

The way we go crazy over tea, or mohawks, or ripped tights, or fishnets, or eyeliner, or boots, or lace, or bats, or graves, or black roses, or castles can never be understood by anyone who doesn't like the same things, the same as how we fail to understand why you go crazy over "swag", or checkered polos, or pop, or round caps, or micromini denim shorts.

You see, there is more than what meets the eye. Goths aren't evil, nor do we have evil thoughts, just because we seem to appear "evil" to the non-goths' eyes. There are Goths that are friendly, charitable, funny, vegetarian, religious, or shy. And the way we see darkness is not the way you see it.

I see darkness as meaningful and deep. NOT evil.
For without darkness, light could not exist.

For what is a day, without a blessed night?
Or what is peace, without a blessed fight?
-- Emilie Autumn

Indeed, there is beauty in everything. Beauty exists even in those with disabilities or wicked mindsets; it exists even in the void; from the wonders of how spiderwebs are made, to the cold, starless night sky.


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Secondhand Clothing Stores: Tips and Reminders

Here's a related post for Shopping For Goth Clothes in the Philippines. :3
Since secondhand clothing stores are the best sources of cheap, beautiful Goth clothes, it's best if you know these tips and reminders, especially if you haven't bought from one before.

ONE - When I say "Ukay-ukay", I didn't mean this:



Clothes from stores like these aren't secondhand. Learn the difference. They may sell brand new fashion trends here, but the prices start at 100 or 150. I'm just saying that you can save much much more if you buy from the REAL secondhand stores. Soon, if you keep buying from ukay-ukay stores, you'll learn how they actually look different from stores like these.

TWO - Check it before you buy it.
Is that beautiful, see-through poncho close to being torn to pieces? Is that boot opening its mouth because it's hungry for some super glue? Are you really sure if you're gonna buy that? As for me, though, I take care of the repairs myself so it's pretty okay, but if the thing can't be saved from destruction, I'd rather change my mind.

THREE - Who says haggling won't work here? :p
Try convincing the vendors to lower down the price a little because of that little tear by the edge. They weren't the ones who manufactured all these clothes anyway, so maybe lowering down by P5.00 would work. Just MAYBE.

FOUR - Buy during Super Sales!
Prices lower down like crazy during SUPER SALES! Some stores even go "10 for 100" in some cases. When you see a Super Sale sign board, grab the chance! As I've observed, super sales come only around every after 4-5 months.

FIVE - Wash them thoroughly before wearing.
Who knows? What if the ex-owner of that dress used to have a terrible skin disease and the dress never got washed before it got to the store? And try smelling it. Yeah, I'm sure it needs some washing. Sanitation and hygiene purposes, Gothlings! Don't be too excited to try them on.

SIX - Be patient.
I'm only suggesting this kind of store because of the price ranges. Keep in mind that searching for a Lolita dress is NEVER going to be easy. It's all a matter of luck! And so is finding a corset. Or a netted poncho. Or a lace dress. Or Demonia boots. Or a steampunk top. Or a top hat. No. No. No. The truth is, whenever I'm on a shopping spree, I'd enter more or less 10 of these stores.

SEVEN - Remember it's second-hand.
Be reminded that it's secondhand. The quality may have gone down because it has been used way back then. And almost every time, I eventually find the defect in every piece and finally understand why it ended up being sold in a secondhand store.



Have fun searching for great Goth finds! :3

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Shopping For Goth Clothes in the Philippines?

This post will be specially dedicated to those individuals who have an uncanny attraction to the macabre and didn't tell me earlier that they live in Cebu City too.

It's quite impossible to find Goth clothing shops and brands around here since it's also quite impossible to find a person who would be interested to buy from such. So where did I find the wonderfully dark and alternative stuff you can find in my closet?

ONE - Secondhand Clothing Stores (Ukay-Ukay) -- best answer

FACT: If that lovely shirt you found in the department store costs P250.00, the same shirt could cost for only P20.00 in a secondhand clothing store ;) The only difference is that these cheap yet beautiful pieces have already been worn by someone else, sometimes from another country.. wait, what? "Imported" clothes or boots for only P20.00? HAHAHA, no, I'm not kidding. Guess what? With just P500.00 in my pocket, I could buy around 10 - 50 goth clothes and/or shoes already.

Okay so, if you're from another country, I wanna let you know the equivalence of our currency to yours. :D

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Cool, right? Here are SOME of the great finds I bought from secondhand stores.

 

 


So who said irresistible boots are beyond your wallet's powers? Try buying from nearby ukay-ukay stores now! But before you get so happy and excited, read this post first: Secondhand Clothing Stores: Tips and Reminders

TWO - Online
There are a whole lot of stuff out there. However, they're all kinda pricey. Cosplay shops, for example. They sell great lolita accessories and dresses. Some shops also sell Punk or Rave fashion. Try Sulit and AyosDito. I've seen many handsome pieces in online shops on Facebook as well. Try this: Gothic & Lolita Shops Philippines

THREE - Flea Markets
The Filipino word is tiangge. Familiar yet? Divisoria for instance. My sister's been there and she tells me she saw a lot of stuff that I might like! The thing about the Filipino flea markets is that they usually sell trendy pieces, and trendy pieces may not be what some Goths are looking for. As for me, I buy the black ones and I just combine my DIYed Goth pieces or some stockings or warmers then finish the outfit off with good boots so they still appear gothy. It's all a matter of being creative.

FOUR - Malls
All the Goth stuff aren't in one store, though. Do a lot of strolling, and buy anything interesting you see, that is, if you're actually on a shopping spree. Forever 21 has nice pieces. BUM sometimes sell dark stuff. Mental looks interesting. One can find goth-inspired clothes every now and then in a mall. You'll love everything you'll find there especially because they're of good quality and they're branded. Sadly I'm just a kid. And I don't have money.



Good luck with clothes-hunting! :3

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Sims 3

I know my enthusiasm for The Sims 3 is already quite late. This game was released way back 2009, but it was only this year when we finally had the chance to own a PC with great capacity, and just this week when we successfully installed the game behind Dad's back. Hahaha. So yeah, I've been playing it since yesterday, since there's nothing better to do during my measles-vacation from school, and I've been like totally excited for it last week because I've always been a big fan of The Sims™.

Here are my Sims.

Zaeric Van Grave. (The name's cool, huh? I got it from one of the goth friends I met on facebook! :3)
She's artistic and ambitious, a virtuoso, a bookworm, and a vegetarian. She used to work as a Burial Specialist in the Pleasant Rest Graveyard, but I had her quit the job so she can have music as her career since she's a virtuoso.
..Uhh, I'm gonna post a better picture of her soon..


Zane Van Grave. She's Zaeric's sister. Zane is artistic, ambitious, and friendly, a virtuoso and a green thumb.

HAHAHA, this is Matthew Spooks, Zane's husband. He's childish, ambitious and friendly, a natural cook and a virtuoso. He works in the Bistro.
I'll be posting a better picture of him soon..



That's Matthew being silly! HAHAHA, scaring his wife away.
I brought the three of them to the Pleasant Rest Graveyard during their first day of moving to their house.



The game's really fun! Zaeric and Matthew just got promoted in their jobs, and Zane has been playing her guitar in the park for tips. :D

Try The Sims 3 too! :3


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Why Goths Are Few in the Philippines

An archipelago comprising 7, 107 islands, the Philippines is categorized broadly into three main geographical divisions: Luzon (where almost all gothy events take place, because our capital city is there), Visayas (sadly, where I live) and Mindanao.

The inability to find a fellow morbidly interesting individual is one (but maybe the major ONE) of the many dilemmas a Goth from either Visayas and Mindanao would face. Eternal Death Wake , the one and only annual Gothic gathering in the Philippines, is held in Manila, our capital city, which is one ship ride away from where I live which takes about 2 and a half days (yeah, that far). But if I take a plane though, it takes less than an hour.. BAHHH it's still far!

Looky here! Filipino Goths! It's soooo rare seeing the species. This is from EDW 9.
Source

Another problem that the few Goths here face is the absence of Goth brands and clothing shops in the country. But it's not that much of a problem since we're creative and resourceful enough.

All this longing of company to graveyards, libraries, and clothing hunts is frustrating me, so I thought of coming up with reasons that I think would explain the almost-invisible population of Goths in the Philippines.
 
 


ONE - The Tropical Climate.
Not all Goths hate the sun. But I do, and most do. AND as a matter of fact, DARK colors attract heat more than the light ones, so wearing black and beautiful makeup would just make you feel all sweaty and uncomfortable. The climate is already hot the way it is, that means wearing Goth clothes and apparel would just choke you even more.

TWO - Christianity
Let's face it, this old religion (Catholicism most importantly) has shaped the norms and mindsets of the Filipino people. Well, Christianity isn't so bad, but the thing is, some (or maybe most) Christians tend to find black-clad people weird and suspicious. Add our morbid interests and strange favorites. Yeah, devotees would then think you're from a cult, from Satan's church, or something. Your parents, for example. They might schedule an exorcism for you because of your likes. Ugh.

THREE - The Little Support Beautiful Bands Get
What music MOST people here love? The same old lame stuff. Love songs, Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj... Gaah. If you listen to Cinema Strange, get ready to receive a grimace accompanied by a stupid remark from someone.. or everyone. There ARE Gothic Rock bands here (and I'm totally happy about this--), but not much listeners (--but totally sad about this.)

FOUR - The Unusual Attraction of Most Filipino Adolescents to Romance
I think only 1 out of 40 teens here sees things from a different perspective, dares to stand out, expresses differently -- one whose interests lie in the beauty of things and the surroundings.. because the other 39 chooses to hear and talk about love stories all day long. Talk about art, everyone sleeps. Relate art to relationships, everyone wakes up. *facepalm*

FIVE - Uniforms in Schools
Uniforms in schools would mean lesser wardrobe contents, because you wouldn't need to buy more stuff if you could just wear that same set 10 months a year. Uniform Rule = Lesser Fashion Attention.




Sadly true.
But still, I know that SOMEONE out there--whom I believe will go Goth shopping with me one of these days-- feels the same longing and loneliness I've been feeling.

O Tragedy: Measles For My Birthday

My birthday was just that Sunday.
Yes, September 16.

I woke up with stabbing and throbbing muscle pains in the chest, in both ankles, on my back, and on my knuckles. My eyes felt warm and stingy, and it took me around an hour to get up from bed. My limbs had countless red spots on them, and they were kind of itchy. No sooner, I became warm, weak, and dizzy, so I flopped back to bed after breakfast.

I had postponed all the preparations and celebration plans the day before to avoid anything (sadly) special because I wouldn't be able to enjoy anything in this condition anyway.

I would sleep for a few hours, get up from bed to go pee in the toilet, get back to my room, load up with mouthfuls of H2O, check my phone for birthday greetings and get-well-soon's, then sleep again. These were all that I repeatedly did during my 17th birthday.

However, I refused to be sad!

The day before, I was thinking that maybe I'd be able to compose dirges, odes to sorrow and death, and dark poetry for this terrible birthday misfortune, but that Sunday, I'd rather not. Just knowing that I have a great number of friends that didn't forget about me, friends who show concern and empathy... The feeling of being loved pretty much felt like a birthday present to me already :)
Besides, this isn't my first time to get sick on a birthday.


What made me really happy on my birthday, though, was..

Hershey's Cookies & Kreme
Caramel Kreme Crunch


My brother gave me a Krispy Kreme present! ♥ Gaaaah, i LOVE KRISPY KREME @.@

It was a remarkable birthday, indeed.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

A Goth's To-Be-CosPlayed List

(DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANY OF THESE PICTURES.)
Here are some interestingly eerie characters I've been wishing to CosPlay:

1) Amane Misa from Death Note
(CHECKED!)






2) Suigintou from Rozen Maiden





3) Cossette from Le Portrait de Petit Cossette


4) Perona from One Piece


5) Enma Ai from Jigoku Shoujo (Hell Girl)




6) Alice from Alice in Wonderland and American McGee's Alice

(CHECKED!)



7) Wednesday and Morticia from The Addams Family







8) Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice




9) Beetlejuice


10) Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas



11) Nico Robin from One Piece




12) Sunako Nakahara from Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge



15) Nana Osaki from NANA




16) Mio Akiyama from K-ON!





17) Stocking from Panty, Stocking and Garterbelt
  



18) The  Mad Hatter




19) The Red Queen/The Queen Of Hearts



20) Sunako Kirishiki from Shiki




21) Ruby Gloom




22) Blair from  Soul Eater
(CHECKED!)




23) Emily The Strange
(CHECKED!)




24) Zatsune Miku from Vocaloid



25) Kobato Hasegawa from Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai


26) Emily from Corpse Bride



27) Marceline the Vampire Queen from Adventure Time


28) Dead Master from Black☆Rock Shooter



29) Yuuki Cross from Vampire Knight
(CHECKED!)


30) Madame Red from Kuroshitsuji



31) Luka from Sandplay Singing of the Dragon

32) Erza (Goth Loli version) from Fairytail


33) Diva from Blood+ 




34) MAVIS from Hotel Transylvania


35) CAITLYN from League of Legends


36) ZATANNA ZATARA from DC Comics


37) RANKO KANZAKI from THE iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls


38) FREYA from Chobits



I'll keep updating!
You guys got any more suggestions? :3