It was kinda awkward and nice at the same time being the only male in a female dominated event. I was privileged to be invited to OMF Literature‘s recent launch of Malou Tiongson-Ortiz’ book 2 of the “Ikaw na ang Maganda” series at Stacey’s Home Cafe at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
The first book was on the topic of make-up which was based on Malou’s experience as a make-up artist so I passed on it when I saw it at last year’s Manila International Book Fair. This second book was on the topic of dressing up which draws from Malou’s own sense of fashion coupled with her growing concern about the increasingly sexualized trend in women’s clothing. I thought, “Hey, maybe I can learn a thing or two about what women like to wear these days and then I can buy my wife a few pieces and score me a few pogi points.” So I went.
Well I did learn that if you want to give your wife something to wear, you won’t go wrong with the basic stuff like a white button down blouse, plain white tees, black slacks, a nice blazer to put on top of the blouse and jeans.
Malou shared her motivation on writing a sequel. Since the first book on make-up was received quite well, she decided that a book on how to dress would be a fitting installment. I don’t know if there would ever be a book three (I am a guy, right?) so we’ll have to wait and see.
The book is really small and should be an easy and quick read. I was leafing through it before the start of the program and found it nicely laid out. My only quibble was that it would have been more interesting for me if more illustrations accompanied some of the chapters. Well, women would probably know what Malou is saying in the book, but then again, I’m a guy, so give me a break.
One thing that would surely pique the interest of the ladies are the various conversations that Malou had with men about their thoughts on the effect women have on men with how they dress. She talked to pastors, and of all people, a visually impaired guy, and you will be surprised at their response.
Ikaw na ang Maganda Book 2: Dress up Pure and Lovely is available at P75. You can avail of this book at all OMF Lit Bookshops, Passages Bookshops, Philippine Christian Book Stores, National Book Stores and as usual, all other leading bookstores nationwide. You can also order it online at www.passagesbooks.com. The book will also be available in e-book format. For more information, please call Geo Delarmente at +63 (2) 5314303 local 304, or the OMF Bookshop at +63 (2) 531-4303 or you can send an email to [email protected].
MALU TIONGSON-ORTIZ graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Interior Design. She is currently a student at the Asian Theological Seminary, completing the Graduate Diploma program in Pastoral Counseling. Malu is a board member of the God is Able International Foundation and is the former Vice President of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines. Malu is also the author of Embracing God’s Purpose for my Child with Special Needs, Ikaw na ang Maganda: How to Be Beautiful Inside and Out, and Ang Diary ng Legal Wife: Hope para sa Mukhang Hopeless na Marriage. She is the mother of Carlo Miguel, Claro Paulo II, and Clarissa Lorraine.
