Livin' It Large in Reel Life

Aaaah, lazy Sundays. The best time to feed our peepers with our DVD backlogs! For today, I'd like to share a blast-from-the-past clip about my 15 milliseconds of fame way back in September 2008.

With some help from my Studio 23 friends, I found myself casted for the Us Girls' Fashion segment. I was thrilled to hear that I'd get assistance from the bronzed host Angel Aquino and stylist Mike to find the most flattering pieces for plus size women.

The other segments will feature food in epic proportions, big and bold accessories and a certain celebrity with big bucks, big walk-in closet and potentially big heart. Hence, they called that episode, "Livin' Large".

Almost ready to go on cam! Beige dress, black top (underneath), black obi belt, black jacket from Nur. Tortoise pumps, silver hoops and wrist watch were mine.


Lights, camera...fashion!

Trying on clothes was fun until my twins demanded attention. Even if the beige dress is of perfect fit, we needed pins to keep my cleavage covered. Good thing Angel Aquino found a black top for me to wear underneath. But this relief was short-lived. The top button broke free from the dress, as if my twins were protesting from being clad. Mike reacted, "Ngayon lang ako nahirapan sa boobs!"

To say I loved this beige dress is an understatement. I even wanted to take it home! The dress, according to Mike, gave me this Ecomoda aura. I believed Jon (segment producer) and Glenn (researcher) agreed as they urged me not to smile and to do more chest out during my rampa.

It was also a delight to wear the gray top (not documented in photos). It gave me a "dignified" look, according to Angel Aquino. For me, its magic lies on its simplicity yet apparent demonstration of effort. It can work as casual and formal piece alike.

Photo opportunity with Angel Aquino and Mike.

Is this on?

The samples behind me. Wearing my From A To Tee™ shirt and denim miniskirt.
After the shoot in Nur's boutique in Tomas Morato extension, off we went to Milly Clothes' office in Pasig City. Their stuff is available in SM Stores. I'm not really impressed with their designs but they were super nice to make me choose my take-home among their samples.


Trying on the peasant blouse and light brown capri pants from Milly's

Psychedelic (at least for me) dress from Milly's. Silver shoes were mine.

Guess what I chose between these options? I opted for the former, much to Angel Aquino's shock. My girlfriends Carl and Sherry (they both joined me during the shoot to provide oral support) agreed, saying it is what typical unfashionable moms would wear.

Well, it's no secret I am drawn to anything with orange-and-brown color combination and my closet is home to a lot of peasant tops and capris. Although I'm pretty obsessed with dresses that time, I had to give the other up. The design is kinda...old. The Carl-and-Sherry tandem and I must have contradicting tastes in clothes!

Mike offered I should go for the most expensive piece among my options. I didn't take heed. But I was truly glad to hear him say that the pang-nanay (Carl's words) combo is better: the dress sample is quite damaged (unfortunately, it's the last one) and the peasant top-and-capri suits my character more.

Besides, I was attracted to the potential freedom to mix and match. Until today, I wear the blouse to job interviews and whenever I'm in the mood to look smart-casual. I know I've done a last-minute pictorial in Intramuros wearing this. The pants? I donated that pair to my mother when I realized it's quite loose.

How about my take-home stuff from Nur, you ask? I assumed they'd give me that beige ensemble. After all, I've tried it on AND even caused damage on its top button. Guess what's inside my thank-you bag?

Putting on my take-home dress from Nur. Forgot to put on a smile, though

I am still yet to find the confidence to wear this dress outside my bedroom. Friends who've seen this piece air their disapproval, saying it'd make me look like a nun or milk maid. Would you agree? If so, please remind me to look for this again for the next Halloween party I'm attending.

Aside from such cool freebies, I am still grateful for this opportunity to make my secret dream to be a model come into fruition. It may be a gruelling experience to squeeze this shoot after and before my graveyard shift, but I felt over pouring joy knowing that I passed on an example that we, big girls, too, can shed those inhibitions and make a runway out of any ground we step our pedicured feet on.

So there goes my official debut on national TV. Next? I'm thrilled to know.

Looking very large next to Angel Aquino?

More photos here and check out the plug here.