Almost Diplomatic

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Almost Diplomatic

Adventures of a diplomatic turned lifestyle reporter turned undiplomatic wife to a diplomat. The good life on a budget!

02/09/2026

I almost skipped this one because I had a 10PM flight, the launch was at 3, and I still needed to be back in Makati by 5:30 to finish packing and leave for the airport by 7:15.

But I’m very glad I went. 💖

a mano and Manam Comfort Filipino coming together for feels like one of those collaborations that just makes sense. Different culinary traditions, yes, but both are built around the same idea: food is at its best when it brings people together.

The Crispy Sisig Pizza brings Manam’s House Crispy Sisig onto A MANO’s crust with guanciale (‼️🤤), Fior di Latte, Pecorino Romano, pickled onions, green chili, and that familiar A MANO chili oil. Then there’s the Ube Sago Burrata Soft Serve, which combines Manam’s ube + sago with A MANO’s Signature Burrata Gelato Soft Serve.

Italian and Filipino comfort food meeting somewhere in the middle, without either side losing what makes it recognizable. 🤌

I ate, caught up with friends, got clingy with Feliciano Rodriguez III (as if we won’t see each other for so long lol), mentally calculated how many minutes I had left before needing to sprint back to Makati, and somehow still made the flight. Posting this as I’m about to board. Lol.
Worth it.

CIAO, PABORITOS! A MANO x MANAM runs from September 3 to October 15, 2026, exclusively for dine-in at all A MANO shops.

30/08/2026

Less than an hour left before Z A R A H J U A N’s big birthday sale ends online, so consider this your final little nudge.

Earlier today, I stopped by their Power Plant branch to add another piece to a collection I’ve been building for years. 💖

I’ve always loved Zarah Juan bags because they’re instant conversation starters—especially at diplomatic events. I’ve lost count of how many people have come up to ask about a bag I’m carrying, and one of my favorite parts is telling them it’s by a Filipino designer.

Even better, the pieces are brought to life with the help of different communities and local artisans—from solihiya weavers and woodworkers to fabric weavers who create details like the straps and linings. So behind every playful, distinctly Filipino design is also craftsmanship, livelihood, and a much bigger story about what local fashion can support.

I’ve always been a proud wearer of , and I genuinely think we need to champion more Filipino brands that make our culture feel contemporary, desirable, and worth talking about.

The sale may end tonight, but supporting brands like this shouldn’t be seasonal. 😘

29/08/2026

I love getting my lashes done at AYUMI Art and Beauty Studios because this is exactly the kind of high-maintenance thing that makes me low-maintenance for the rest of the month.

Their LED lashes really stay put, which means I wake up already looking a little more put together without having to do much in the morning. Less mascara, less fuss, less time staring at myself wondering what still needs fixing before I leave the house.

And because efficiency is part of the appeal, I usually get my nails done at the same time. Lashes, nails, done.

The real test, though, was heading straight to a spin class at Ride Revolution after a long, busy day. I properly perspired through that workout, and the lashes stayed exactly where they were supposed to. Better yet, I still looked put together enough to head out to eat and carry on with the rest of my day without needing to do much at all.

At this point in my life, I’m very much in favor of beauty routines that save me time later. High maintenance upfront, low maintenance after.

Ericka Alexandria Bugia

27/08/2026

Reopening of the Coconut Palace after its six-month restoration. It’s now ready to welcome ASEAN 2026 PH leaders for the upcoming summit. 🫶

Full tour coming on MANILA BULLETIN’s Property and Living section real soon. 💖

Always feeling so tiny next to US Embassy in the Philippines’s Ambassador Lipton. The First Lady’s terno is by Paul Cabral.

Gen. Torre is such a pro at selfies. Also love this photo I snapped of the first couple during the ceremonial opening. 🫶

Mothered 💖

Wore an Iris Ceneta skirt from her brand Há•bi, a top from Mosaic, shoes from LeScarpe Manila.

25/08/2026

One of my favorite things about good food is its ability to bring together people who might never have crossed paths otherwise.

Some of the best conversations I’ve had have happened around a dinner table—with strangers who became friends by the end of the evening. Those are the experiences that stay with you long after dessert.

Through UnionBank x Visa’s The Star Course Series, your everyday spending can bring you closer to exclusive dining experiences like this one.

Use your Union Bank of the Philippines Visa Credit Card to earn entries. Qualified cardholders can register via UnionBank Treats Hub.

P2,000 dining / P3,000 shopping / P5,000 travel = 1 entry
P4,000 dining / P6,000 shopping / P10,000 travel = 3 entries
P10,000 dining / P15,000 shopping / P30,000 travel = 5 entries
P15,000 dining / P25,000 shopping / P50,000 travel = 10 entries

Because sometimes, an unforgettable evening begins with the purchases you were already planning to make. 💖

Apply for a UnionBank Miles+ credit card and earn additional entries: https://apply.cc-pl.unionbankph.com/PLCC/Verification?media=&pcode=VS201&scode=DCUSML00MS

20/08/2026

Scenes from this year’s —an evening that felt like another exciting step forward for P-beauty.

Vanguard Aesthetics Philippines and Merz Aesthetics | Medical Aesthetics Business in APAC introduced the new Ultherapy® Philippines ambassador, Kathryn Bernardo 🐘, and honestly, she feels like such a natural choice: elegant, articulate, and already an avid believer in the treatment since she was 21. Now at 30, she’s a pretty convincing case for why prevention will always beat playing catch-up when it comes to your skin.

It was also a night of catching up with friends in the industry and celebrating my One Nadela Medical Group family, who practically swept the awards. So proud of them.

And because so many people came up to tell me I looked particularly refreshed that evening, I feel compelled to share the secret: Ultherapy Prime once a year since 2021, Xeomin every six months, the absence of male-induced stress, and an excellent team of doctors (One Nadela’s Vinizza Niña Nadela-Kong and Jule Yasser Kong are in Makati, Pal Athena Nadela-Digamon is in Cebu, and Dr. Yelle Aquino is in BGC) who maintain me far better than any man ever could. 😜 Peace and good aesthetic medicine are quite the combination.

But if I ever get stressed over a man again in the future, may he be worth the trouble—like the one in the last photo. Haters will say it’s AI. 😜

Dress: KARIMADON
Tapis: ZIA WYCOCO
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Thank you for dressing me arrive.pr Great Social Club ® Fel Garcia Olivia Sylvia Cyan! Enjoyed styling this look. 🖤💛

16/08/2026

Was not the biggest ube girlie—until now. These are sinfully good, Mo’ Cookies! 💜

11/08/2026

Today’s issue of the Manila Bulletin featuring the Embassies & Foreign Affairs section. Did you guys get your copy? 🤗

You can also read my interview with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan from the sidelines of Asian Eats 2026 both on print and online! 💖 We talk about his favorite Filipino dish, the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open, and how his posting is going eight months in.

Clickable link in my stories! 💖
https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/10/chinese-ambassador-lets-talk

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