Interview # 14: Junette Laxamana, Manila

What’s your occupation?

Fulltime mom; part time anything.

What takes up your day?

Most of my time is spent with Dylan my 4-year old. During down time I go up our attic to “organize” my wardrobe and look for things that I’ve misplaced over time.

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Corny pero it’s those tight hugs and wet kisses from my son.

How’s your year so far?

Way better than last year. It’s the rainbow after a heavy downpour.

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

In bed with my son and hubby. Watching Spongebob from am til pm, munching on Planters Cheese Curls and Toblerone, gulping coke without getting fat.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

Pay off my credit card debts (maliit lang,swear!). Insure everything/ everyone. Place 2M on asset management. Spend the rest shopping for shiny new things! If Jigs is good to me on that day, I might buy him a new car.

Why will you buy these things?

Balanced shopping kumbaga. I’ll do some mature purchases first para wala mag comment sa irresponsible shopping ko. 

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

HAPPY enough to forget my worries in life.

Back to reality, what was your most memorable recent purchase?

2 pairs of shoes that I don’t really need.

When was that?

Last weekend from Megamall

Why did you buy it?

Looks good on me. Plus I can’t get them out of my head after trying them on.           

What led you to the store?

I was on duty as a shopper that day.

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

I’m my own bad influence.

How did you feel after the purchase?

Happy. In Love.

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

YES YES YES!  I’m a shopping fool.

What do you think will you next spend money on?

Shoes, bags, clothes. Oh… groceries pala. 


*Follow Junette's shopaholic escapades at http://treasurehuntress.wordpress.com/

Interview # 13: Nickee de Leon-Huld, Los Angeles

How do you want to be called?

Nikanora. (Seriously???? - ed)

What takes up your day?

Work, chores and the dawg.

What’s your occupation?

Professional beyaach.

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Leaving the office. 

How’s your year so far?

Uneventful.

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Working from home – for my own endeavors!

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it? 

Book a trip to Pinas, replete with all the trimmings of an engrande vacay!

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

Relaxed, fat and sunburned.

What was your most memorable recent purchase?

Dining chairs, a month ago.

From what store?

Big! Lots! Hehehe.

Why did you buy it?

Kailangan eh. And they’re cheaper because of  the Memorial Day sale.

What led you to the store?

Nice buys for cheap.

How did you feel after the purchase?

Happy kasi the chairs are more comfy.

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

Probably not anytime soon.  Hintayin ko munang masira. Hehehe.

What do you think will you next spend money on? 

Getting a dang leak fixed. Plus,  changing the now-decrepit dry wall. Tsk.

Interview # 12: Lyneil Miranda, Toronto

What’s your occupation?

Passenger Service Agent.

What takes up your day?

Work and kids.

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Hugs and kisses from my kids.

How’s your year so far?

Pretty crazy… moving to Toronto from Sydney is the highlight of my year so far.

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Go shopping and play with my kids.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

I’d go back to Sydney and bring my whole family with me.  I miss living in Sydney.

(Going back) will make me feel happy.

What was your most memorable recent purchase?

A four-door hatchback Lexus, just the other day.

Why did you buy it?

We are new in Canada and we need transportation.

What led you to the store?

Suggested by a friend.

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

Friends and family.

How did you feel after the purchase?

It was expensive… but I was contented and happy.

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

Yes.  It’s a good quality car.

What do you think will you next spend money on?

Holiday with the family to Sydney or Manila.

Interview # 11: Melissa Orozco, New York

How do you want to be called?

Mel/Menggay

What takes up your day?

Exploring the city, classes, finding inspiration for future work/projects...

What’s your occupation?

Student and tourist.

What’s the nicest thing about your day? 

Being new here, you always discover something like a new landmark or just simply learning. There’s always something happening in this city and I’m not yet even done.

How’s your year so far?

G-R-E-A-T!!!

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

TRAVELLING.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

Buy property and have it rented. If I had extra, I’d go to South Africa.

Why will you buy these things?

I think real estate is a good investment and travelling is good for the soul. CHEESY!!!

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

Good.

Back to reality, what was your most recent purchase?

American Vogue Magazine.

When was that?

4 hours ago.

From what store?

Convenience store by the subway.

Why did you buy it?

Something to read while in the train. I also need to find inspiration for classes.

What led you to the store?

I was waiting for the subway and it was right in front of me.

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

Well, I had class earlier and I just had to keep myself up to date with colors and different styles.

How did you feel after the purchase?

So-so. I was kinda disappointed cause the content wasn’t much.

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

No.  I like reading materials with better content. British magazines are more aesthetically pleasing and fun to read!

What do you think will you next spend money on?

FOOD!

Interview #10: Francis Chua, Manila

What takes up your day?

Three things make up my day part:

1. Day Dreaming – this is the biggest part of my morning. My mind drifts off to different places as I dream of what can be done for my work.

2. Working – putting those dreams into reality is the hard part. This is where I get to share my ideas with others and have them like it.

3. Mill around – it is important for me to brew a little. I spend a considerable amount of time talking to other people to get insights and observe. I also use this to make relationships more useful and fruitful.

What’s your occupation?

I’m currently the Head for Innovations and Digital Initiatives for Starcom MediaVest Group. 

(I think this needs an update - ed)

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Lunch time, perhaps. It is during lunch that I get to feel that I am still human and that my needs are nothing sort of digital or virtual.

How’s your year so far?

So far, it’s been great. Most of my dreams are coming true, while some of them are still evolving. The greatest part of it though is being able to meet new friends from other agencies and traveling.

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

I’d spend my day waking up around 10AM. Do charity work by after lunch. And do superhero stuff by night. I want to be like Bruce Wayne.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

I’d split the money into three:

1/3: T-Bills.

1/3: Small house

1/3: Food for the needy

Why will you buy these things?

T-Bills will allow me to invest my money. Technically you buy these bills; and not invest so that is still within your framework.

Small House will be for my own retirement. I want to put up a small house in a province.

Food for the needy for obvious reasons.

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

GOOOOOOD. I think more than anything: security.

What was your most recent purchase?

I bought a chicken sandwich for breakfast.

When was that?

This morning: June 13, 2011.

From what store?

Oliver’s Super Sandwich.

Why did you buy it?

It’s my breakfast routine. I usually have it in the office.

What led you to the store?

I saw the food display. The chicken with mayonnaise glistened as I walked past the stall. I actually went past it already when the visual occurred to me five seconds later.

How did you feel after the purchase?

Hungry. But overall since this is routine spend, it was okay.

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

I am not sure.  My usual breakfast normally costs me around 50-80 only. This one cost me 140, so twice the price.

What do you think will you next spend money on?

For now, lunch. Well, I am thinking of having salad with mangoes for lunch. Something like that.

Interview #9: Shali Salomon, Melbourne

How do you want to be called?

Shali. Pwede ring ‘babes’ or ‘your highness’.

What takes up your day?

Right now? Taking care of my cutie pie niece...

What’s your occupation?

Overseas BUM.

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Playing with my niece.

How’s your year so far?

Full of surprises…and changes.

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Traveling. Travel all the days of my life worry- free.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

Half of it will go to profitable investments, the rest on food and travel.

Why will you buy these things?

Because I love food and travel, and I want to make sure that the money doesn’t run out for me to do that.

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

Liberated and very happy. If it fuels your passion, you can never go wrong.

What was your most memorable recent purchase?

Dinkum Pies (Beef, tomato and cheese) and a bottle of Coke Zero.

When was that?

Thursday, June 9.

From what store?

Dinkum Pies, Melbourne.

Why did you choose Dinkum Pies among all of the pie stores?

Because they serve the best damn pies in the city.

What led you to the store?

Got lost in the alleyways of Melbourne before with the ‘rents. Went back to have another bite.

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

The first time, it was due to my parents… and the huge sign that said “THE AGE’s Best Pie Award in Melbourne”.

How did you feel after the purchase?

Busog. And “mmm…meat pie…”

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

Yes.  It’s cheap, cultural and it’s the best. Sulit.

What do you think will you next spend money on?

Probably alcohol in the next couple of days.