These days you never know what’s going to happen, whether it’s an earthquake, tsunami, flood, fire or the “zombie apocalypse” it’s always good to have prepared what you’re going to grab in the wake of a sudden disaster.

I’ve put together a backpack of stuff and made a video where I talk about what and why on these items.. The following video loosely follows the categories of First Aid, Beauty, Clothing, Food and Survival tools I’ve prepared for myself and for my family.  Check out What’s In My Emergency Pack. The full list of items and some things I might have missed mentioning are written below this embedded video.

1.  Lightweight but sturdy bag or backpack, comfortable for running with and appropriately contains the following categorized items.

2.  FIRST AID KIT – Bratpack travel rollout pouch, bandages, bandaids, Ricqles Peppermint Cure liquid, SunPlay Sunscreen SPF 130, bandage, gauze, band-aids, alcohol swabs, povidone iodine swabs, antiseptic swabs, surgical gloves, cotton buds, aspirin, non-aspirin, antihistamine, Biogesic paracetamol, scissors, toothbrush, matches, desiccant, Cure exfoliant sachets, The Face Shop skin essence sachet, Chlorhexidine/HIBICLENS antiseptic.

3. MINI MAKEUP KIT – Muji clear pouch, Ecotools retractable powder brush, Tarte Amazonian Clay blush, Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation mini sample, The Face Shop Phytogenic Infinite Concealer Duo NB25, MUFE Aqua Liner liquid liner, Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Mascara, Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm, Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream Lip Stick, MAC Brow Pencil “Lingering”, Missha Luminous Color Mini Lipgloss, MUFE Rouge Artist Intense #17 lipstick, A’postrophe Nailcutter and Tweezers, The Face Shop Lash Curler

4. Water/Drink Bottle – 1 liter

5. CLOTHING PACK – Disposable undies, Antibacterial wipes, jogging pants, cloth undies, 3 top options, a pair of shorts.  I’d also bring along my all-weather Columbia jacket.

6. FOOD/SUSTENANCE PACK – Cup noodle veggie soup, EDO Japanese Nori (seasoned), Ocean Spray Trail Mix Dried Fruit and Nuts, Century Tuna Lite easy-open can, Twinings tea sachets, starchware sporks, Light My Fire Titanium Spork (check outdoor sporting stores, got mine at Paseo Center, Sta Rosa), Payless Instant Noodles Chicken Corn Malunggay, starchware takeaway box, dried fruit and 2.5 cups of uncooked dry rice sealed in ziplock packs.

7. SURVIVAL TOOLS – metal carabiners, personal key sets, mini flashlight, Swiss Knife, waterproof flashlight (I recommend Maglites or Life Gear), MY BIBLE – in the end this is what will truly keep me going from the inside out.

THINGS I’VE NOTED THAT I STILL LACK : Lush Shampoo/Body bar, Small deodorant stick, Light My Fire firestarter thing, mini cooking pot, army Swiss knife, fishing line, insect repellent lotion.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:33 NIV

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.  It’s difficult for a lot of people to swallow that a year has already passed since that terrible tragedy and Japan, one of the world’s superpower nations, is still reeling from the devastation.  I needed to take a moment and remember the depth, excellence, and focus with which the Japanese do ALMOST EVERYTHING in their daily lives even when it comes to the simplest, smallest things.  I saw this packet of beauty paper by the checkout counter at Beauty Bar and first scoffed at the price (Php595.00 for 30 sheets) because I thought it was ridiculously priced for what I thought was a beauty trifle.  Tatcha is a U.S. brand that distributes this finely made Japanese product.

I was so scandalized by the price in spite of its eye-candy packet that I even threw a quick, cheap remark at it via the saleslady (because I’m quick to judge that way, sadly, workin’ on it), but I hadn’t read what was inside before I did. Read more to get the full post.

After taking a closer look the saleslady respectfully said “Pero ma’am, pure abaca siya with gold flakes…” and suddenly my pride dissipated with a faint touch of embarrassment, what was she talking about?  Was I actually caught in that moment where the saleslady had actually pointed out something truly good about something I dissed?  Yup.

I read the back and the inner flap then held the packet just for a moment as if I needed to apologize to it.  I felt like a fool and in that moment thought that only the Japanese could utterly lift the overall value of something as simple as beauty or blotting paper.  In effect, I discovered it was blot paper almost practically of royal value.  I thought if the Japanese could give this much importance to the making of beauty paper one can only wander how “swamped” their minds must be about everything else.  Of course they’d probably say, there’s a proper flow to doing everything, and what’s important is whatever you’re doing at the moment, small or large, deserves your utmost craft and complete focus for it to turn out wonderful.

“Authentic Aburatorigami was originally created by gold leaf artistans and discovered by geisha.  In the 1800′s for its skin benefits, these all-natural leaflets are powder free, fragrance free and handmade.  They are suitable for all skin types.”

In light of recent events and the beautiful copy written that packet of beauty paper had begun to look like it was worth more than it was.  After a good amount of analysis and a few moments to lick my little wounds of embarrassment, I asked the saleslady kindly to add it to my purchases.  I decided I would feature this eye-opener of an item on a day of relevance for the Japanese.  Tatcha beauty paper is smooth and sheer and appears a lovely, natural parchment color with an irregular dash of a few gold flakes on each sheet.  I like how subtle the gold flakes are, there’s just a hint of wealth in there, but keeping a few in your wallet instead of cash will get you nowhere today.

“Consider the geisha.  With her flawless porcelain skin, she has endured as an icon of Japanese beauty for more than 300 years.  The secret of her allure?  Special handmade papers used by gold craftsmen to protect the precious metal they hammered into whisper-thin leafing to enrobe the majestic pavilions of Imperial Japan.  Their gold-leaf artistry transformed the paper into aburatorigami, an incredibly soft, strong, and absorbent leaflet ideal for removing excess oils from delicate skin.  Just how our geisha discovered that this precious by-product of the artisan’s alchemy could help create a perfect canvas for her makeup and keep her skin petal fresh throughout the night remains a mystery, but the benefits of her ancient beauty secret remain unsurpassed to this day…”

In truth, I find the writing on the inner flap beautiful but melodramatic still, because they said a bit too much about blot paper essentially, though relevant and well-said, it’s quite long.  Even though it is specially made, it’s still blot paper in the end, so I felt the copy on the inner flap a bit “reaching” to say the least, but convincing nonetheless.  Overall, it’s a beautiful product that adds to my overall existing respect and awe for the Japanese, and my mother, who heads an advertising agency wants to buy several as gifts for friends.  These make a lovely gift for a lady who likes to go on a lot of classy socials, these will fit perfectly into a purse and when pulled out are a charming talking point.  I plan to save these for future VIP clients on shoots.  These are available I guess at all Beauty Bar outlets and it comes in 4 packet colors, blue, pink, green, and purple.  You can expect a barrage of event posts from me in the next few days, or even a few hours later today.  Thanks to shoots and other things I’ve got Blog BackLOG so bad I need a lumberjack. Sing this with me if you’ve got a ton of things to do, too.

No, this is NOT for your minibar *yanks it back, strokes bottle*.  My mother brought two bottles of this crystal clear, French liquid home from Hong Kong.  She and I have never heard of it until someone insisted Mom find some and bring it home.  That someone is Gary Valenciano’s wife, my Ninang because she claims it’s really the best all around remedy (probably second to squalene in her book).  The wonderful thing about traditional vintage remedies is more often than not they’re brewed from the most effective natural ingredients and are therefore deemed to be more “harmonious” with the ailing body.  It’s no doubt that the Chinese herald their own Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Sore Throat Syrup, which today rakes in heaping annual sales totaling about US$45 Million dollars.  From the West, the French have their own, this, a curious but potent, clear liquid by Ricqles prepared from peppermint leaves with a hard-to-remember full French title, Alcool de Menthe de Ricqles, more commonly known as Ricqles Peppermint Cure.  It’s such a novelty thing that I hold and behold it the way Alice does the Drink Me bottle.

“The manufacturer is so dedicated to peppermint that they control the entire process, from growing to processing to packaging. Several drops into a teaspoon with sugar calms almost any stomach ache.  It is an excellent flavoring agent in cooking. I also carry it while traveling; a few drops into a glass of tap water makes a nice ‘eau de nuit’. This has been a staple in our home for over twenty years.” - David R. Good, reviewer on Amazon.com

Ricqles is a brand established in 1838.  Peppermint Cure is said to relieve a number of common bodily afflictions from topical to intestinal, and it’s even mentioned as a FLAVORING AGENT in cooking by some reviewer on Amazon, Peppermint Cure is bound to rock my boat (summons imaginary yacht), what with its cute vintage label and all.  We associate the French with wine and liquor so much that by the bottle you think it’s bound to belong in the minibar.  Disclaimer detour, this isn’t a full review.  I’m not sick and don’t have any burns or bites plus this is mom’s unopened bottle, for now let it be a visual “TA-DA!”.

“Use as an essential antiseptic for preventing risk of infection in minor cuts, scrapes, insect bites. Also recommended as an all season remedy for everything from indigestion, bad breath, the blues, headache to cold/flu. With a natural peppermint scent that vanishes instead of turning musty, this French made product epitomizes a clean and gentle preparation.” – etamhoa.com

What to do with it ? Oh, what to do!  Reviews and descriptions of this online call it nearly everything short of water poured from the Holy Grail.  It’s even recommended for burns, cuts, bites and for annoying but well-meaning people with bad breath (shocked face)…how big can a little product like this get?  I wonder if it’ll shrink a zit.  The box, by the way, certainly screams Doraemon don’t you think?  By the soundz of it I’m waiting for the box to morph into him.

If it removes my makeup, Heavens be praised I’m sold.  On Amazon this costs about US$10.00, from online Asian retailers I’ve seen this priced for as low as US$8.00.  I’m guessing it would be easy to find this in traditional medicine pharmacies throughout Asia that import European products, but most probably not here in the Philippines, best bets would be Hong Kong or Singapore.  This officially qualifies as a lovely addition to my upcoming Ultimate Girls’ Apocalypse Kit simply because it does so much so you can’t be without it.