BDJ Rendezvous: I Dream therefore I Can!

It's another rendezvous to remember from Belle de Jour Power Planner.. :)

The event was held at the newly-opened Ace Water Spa in Pasig. I know the place coz I used to work in the Pioneer area. Event started at 10am and ended up by 4pm. Seen old and meet new faces. 

For early birds like me, I got the chance to seat in front (para daw mas mabilis umaksyon sa mga games at prizes..). I was one of the few people na nakatapos agad sa human bingo. Ito yung may hawak kang isang piece of paper na may mga boxes filled with descriptions (like, im wearing blue shoes, im friendly, my name starts with the letter A, etc) and all you have to do is to mingle around with the girls and have them signed up. Basta dapat match sa descriptions sa box. It's fun and at the same time, chance to meet other fellow BDJ girls.

Ms. D

Jasmine, one bubbly host!

The rendezvous talks mostly of our dreams and the ways to achieve them. When we dream of becoming someone or having something, we must work on it. The process is not that easy and may take a while but it doesn't mean it won't happen. By having the will and determination, every dream, big or small, will eventually come into life.

The speakers were all well-noted, famous on their chosen field. 

Mabel Reyes (Work Your Way Up: A Career Bella's Guide) shared her humble beginnings up to where she is now. She'd gone on different countries and met different people. She wanted everyone of us to have a concrete plan on what we really want in life, be it short-lived or in 5 years time. We usually have the tendency to aspire for something but how will it materialize without working on it? So you write on what needs to be done and provide timelines for it. This way, you'll be able to track where you at from your goals.

Mabel Reyes

Jill Ngo-Crisologo (Cash in Your Passion: Love it, Earn from it) of the Peak Performance shared her passion for dancing. Her forte is belly dancing. She knew that dancing is her passion. She never had any hesitations pursuing her passion, regardless of her mother's disapproval. She tried, oftentimes failed but never stopped. If you really want something, you'll do whatever it may take to land on it. They key is to brave the challenges. If you're not brave enough, you're not going anywhere.

Jill Ngo-Crisologo

Bianca Valerio (Image Matters: Look Good, Feel Good), a noted model, host (FASH), make up artist, online style columnist, blogger and personality development speaker. One fab girl! She shared her personal tips on good grooming and posture, on the do's and dont's in fashion and some pointers on building your confidence. Honestly, I got starstrucked when I saw her. She is so beautiful. She seem to be intimidating but she is not, she is friendly and very down to earth. She believes that looks really matter. Given the inner beauty that we have, let us not shed time to  not focus on our physical beauty. First impression still last. As simple as making your face steer clear of any dirt and pimple-free is enough. And as simple as standing and sitting the proper way means a lot to someone. 

Bianca Valerio

Foods served were delicious and tons of prizes were given away. I don't think anyone left without a prize? Games and activities promote camaraderie among bellas. The event was such a blast. 

Every BDJ event marks my day with fun, laughter, girl bonding moments, learnings, new-found friends, foods and lotsa prizes! That is why I am always looking forward to every BDJ activities in store for every Bellas.. :)

BDJ Passion Series: The Love for Fashion and Writing

I believe that a simple planner could do lots of difference, not only to an individual, but also to the whole community. 


On a personal note, I've been using my Belle de Jour Power Planner for four years now. They made my life organized. They gave me a sense of control in managing my life. They hold all my thoughts and feelings, my secrets, my fears and the all the great moments that happened.

With the help of my planner and the love to jot down each and every details of my day-to-day living, it lead me to involve myself into blogging. I believed that I have learnings that's needed to be read and shared. There are certain questions in my mind that's needed to be answered and I thought it would be great getting anyone's share of their views and opinions. I have friends but it would be fun  having my set of friends online. I may not be able to see them personally but I will definitely get to know them thru their comments and messages.


Blogging releases the stress in me (a bit!) and freeing my mind from the whirlwind of thoughts. And it's satisfying to see all your thoughts in writing, just how marvelous you are coming up with those things in mind. It surprises me.


Good thing, Belle de Jour came up with an event that is "for bloggers only.." Having heard of this, I didn't let the moment pass to send in my details and answer their question on why I love to blog. Belle de Jour didn't fail me. I got the slot!

I was surprised to have experienced fashion and writing in a single event. Both were my passion . What added to my surprise was having seen Tricia Gosingtian (triciawillgoplaces.tumblr) and Ana Santos (sexandsensibilities.com) do their share of talks on fashion and writing. I so adored these two gorgeous ladies. I never thought I would have the chance to see them in person, but heard of their name often in the fashion world, online, magazines and blog world. 


Tricia talked on the art of fashion blogging. I love her way of blogging by incorporating pictures (mostly of herself). That is called photo blogging. I can tell Tricia's a very strong-willed person, she never let every opportunity pass her. I admired her for using blog to make fashion friendlier. Her vision is to see people able to dress themselves like the mannequins we often see in boutiques.

She also discussed the essentials of creating a blog. It must have a design, content  and brand. Let people become aware of your individuality and value. Incorporate sophistication on your layout. Cater to a specific demographic.


She relayed that by blogging you get to enjoy some perks. You build personal relations with brands, rare opportunities like mingling with celebrities and other who's who in the society and freebies!


As a fashion blogger herself, she did end the talk by giving helpful styling tips for this year. People can play on color blocking, prints, 60's and 70's inspired and minimalism. This I've got to try!


Ana Santos was a journalist by education and profession, a sexual health activist and the founder of Sex and Sensibilities (an advocacy for health-related issues especially of the reproductive health). It's good to know that she used blogging as an instrument to spread their advocacy. 

Ana talked on finding our writer's voice. To define, a writer's voice is an individual's style of writing. It is what we hear as a constant track in our head.


She revealed that in order for us to find our writer's voice we must start writing. When writing, we have to be experimental. We need to know our writing style. We should not be a victim of our own words. Write what you feel. 


Observing ethics in writing is also a must. Let us respect our readers. Be careful with our choice of words. In turn, we'll build reputation. According to Ana, reputation is like virginity: Once you lose it, it's gone forever!


I may say that for us bloggers, to ignite our passion for blogging, we must remain passionately curious!


My big thanks goes to the girls of BDJ for bringing this kind of event. I believed we were gathered there not only to meet our fellow blogger BDJ girls, not only to plainly sit there and listen, not only to enjoy the freebies but to participate in the discussion, share our views and opinions, and to imbibe the spirit of a true BDJ girl in fashion and in writing.