It understands the stoke,
the sweetness,
of lying down under the sun by the beach
the need for women to pick flowers,
and the effortless clothes we wear
at the weekend maker's market.
It is for the Sun that gives us endless guiding inspiration,
and for every woman who believes that to be under it is divine.
Sometimes she’s out there to rest,
sometimes to receive,
but always to be open and free.
Sun-nourished
like the flowers and the trees.
Under the sun, is where she’d rather be.
She’s a sun-child,
unquestionably.
Born out of sun worship, the sun-child collection is for the brave ones who wear the sun on their skin.
For the women who are most alive under it.
Created for the lover of sunshine, the joyful, the inner child, the danceful, the inspired, and free.
It’s an offering for those who wouldn’t mind getting burned by it as long as it means to play.
from our sun-kissed heart to yours....
The SUNCHILD collection - so you can stay shining with the sunshine
]]>
How do you take care of your body?
Taking care of one’s body is a personal journey. There’s no one-size-fits all approach but as someone who stays at home, I take care of my body by making sure I get enough sleep, prioritizing healthy meals, getting regular breaks to stretch and move around, staying hydrated, and disconnecting from the crowd to reconnect with myself.
How do you define embodiment?
My definition of embodiment is a constantly evolving journey of self-discovery and can I just say that this journey, especially for someone like me who navigated the turbulent waters of severe anxiety, was far from a gentle stroll. I used to live so disconnected from my body, treating it as a mere tool for my mind. But embodiment reminds me that this body is my portal to the world. It is through my senses, my thoughts, my imaginations, and my very being that I experience and interact with everything around us. It's about remembering that I am not just a mind in a body, but a symphony of both, and only when they are in harmony can my life truly sing.
How did your love for crochet start?
My neighbor, @littleshellyoga, inspired me with her crochet creations. I bought a cute bag from her that I still use to this day. I vividly recall expressing my desire to learn how to crochet to my boyfriend, and he pleasantly surprised me with a complete set of crochet tools and that’s how I started. As someone deeply passionate about fashion, colors, patterns, and art, embracing crocheting came naturally. Of course, learning it wasn’t easy, but with practice, patience (a LOT of patience), passion, love, and intention, I became familiar with the craft. Now I have so many designs and patterns in mind and can’t wait for them to come to life.
Whats your favorite thing to crochet? or what is your greatest crochet masterpiece?
Bags are everything to me so I find pure joy in creating crochet bags. Greatest crochet masterpiece? It’s difficult to single one out as the ultimate masterpiece because each tells its own story, reflects a particular mood, and captures a moment in time so I guess the question of the greatest masterpiece remains a delightful dilemma.
]]>
We love her energy in and out of the water - this girl can easily put a smile on anyones face with her infectious good vibes. A true embodiment of enthusiasm and energy, she draws people like bees to nectar.
She left the corporate world to spend her days in the sun surfing, teaching yoga and running her restaurant, Dao Chow in Siargao Island.
1. How do you take care of your body?
Movement is so important to me! Surfing, pilates and yoga have been my favorite activities lately. Not only do I feel good after but they’re all so fun & challenging that I just want to keep doing it. Also, sleep! Pretty underrated topic when we talk about sleep in regards to health but it is SO important to get good, quality sleep.
2. How do you define embodiment?
Embodiment is staying true to who you are - following your gut, doing the inner work, being kind and genuine to others but also not being afraid to face any challenge that life may bring!
3. Tell us about your yoga journey.
Out of curiosity, I started yoga in college and ended up loving it. But like most journeys, it wasn’t always consistent - there were periods I would practice daily but other times, not so much (and you know, I eventually realized that’s ok!) Later on, I joined a teacher training because I simply wanted to learn more about yoga. I honestly didn’t plan on actually teaching but as opportunities came along, it gave me this sense of fulfillment I had never felt before.
4. Whats your favorite part about being a dog mom?
The unconditional love, the companionship and the cuddles!!
]]>
A true embodiment of a woman who moves with courage and grace to go after all of the heart's desires. She inspires us to set our hearts on fire and make it happen. A true force of the Aguariva Spirit, she radiates the essence of a woman's strength and graceful grit.
Living an active and fulfilling life in the island has taught me the importance of listening to my body and taking care of it. Though I am not the type to watch over my diet, adequate sleep and proper hydration are very crucial for me, especially during intense training sessions, as it supports my endurance and recovery. Incorporating aerial stretches into my routine has become truly beneficial as it helps maintain balance between my surfing and dragonboat activities. It enhances my flexibility and mobility, allowing me to perform better in both sports and reducing the risk of injuries.
Just like the pursuits of surfing and aerial arts, I view embodiment as a lifelong journey of self-understanding and connection to the world around me. It goes beyond mere physicality, encompassing a sense of belonging and deepening my relationship with my inner self and everything that surrounds me. In the water, riding the waves, I feel at one with the ocean, understanding its rhythms and power. Similarly, when I engage in aerial arts, soaring through the air, I experience a profound connection with the space around me, enhancing my awareness and fostering a sense of unity. Through these practices, embodiment becomes a continuous exploration, where I find harmony and meaning in the union of body, mind, and soul.
I mostly like deep house or soulful vocals, slow and concentrated dissonate melodies, or any tune with very smooth groove that fits right into flow.
I fell in love with aerial arts even before I discovered surfing. Now, as I delve deeper into both, I'm finding a beautiful connection between the two. Aerial arts, with its perfect blend of mobility, fitness, and dance, has become the ideal complement to my surfing journey. Engaging in aerial arts not only challenges me physically, but also allows me to explore deep stretches that greatly benefit my surfing. It enhances my flexibility, core strength, and body control, ultimately helping me improve my technique and endurance in the water. The combination of aerial arts and surfing has transformed my overall approach to movement, giving me a balanced and harmonious practice that I couldn't imagine my life without.
Muse: Joyce Catacutan
Photos: Bren Lopez
Wearing: Antu Cami top, Delta Shorts
www.aguarivaph.com
]]>
I love surfing! Its one of my favorite things to do. I make sure to drink lots of water and stretch before and after surf. I try to eat healthy. I avoid meat as much as a I can. I only eat meat as a treat. Since I spend a lot of time under the sun, I make sure to apply lots of mineral sunscreen.
My life here in Siargao and my love for surfing. I discovered and learned that abundance also means living life in simple ways. Its humbling and magical.
I drink a glass of water and then make coffee. Put on my favorite suit, stretch for a minute and then wax my board. I say my thanks to mama nature for another beautiful day then i paddle in
Definitely cemetery, its a friendly wave. On a glassy day and with the right swell direction, you get perfect loooong waves that goes on and on. I also like innertube in Burgos. On a small day, its a perfect log day for me.
Muse: Cat Gito
Photos: Bren Lopez
Wearing: Alba top, Cove Bottom
www.aguarivaph.com
]]>First to bloom is Megs, a dancing flower who shines her way to embodiment through her movement, soul, and self-love.
She moves to keep her heart alive. With that essence, she crafts a beautiful story with her body - which she said is a vessel deserving care, respect, and intention. For Megs, self-love blooms in each moment, a timeless romance with her beautiful body.
I take care of my body by deeply listening to her - understanding that this is the vessel my soul chose to embody and it should be treated with the utmost care, respect and love. I practice intention with all that I choose to nourish my body with, may it be the food I intake with so much gratitude all the way to how I move, making my practice my prayer. We should always be our own lover first, romantizing each moment we have with this beautiful body and connecting deeply to all the layers and dimensions of our selves. Practicing true self love in each and every moment.
To me, embodiment is being fully immersed in my body and tuning into the deep wisdom held within. It's a practice that can be ignited in any moment, increasing our awareness of this very moment and feeling into the flow of sensations, feelings, thoughts and energies present. As human beings we are born into bodies that travel fluidly through an infinite range of movement and feeling. Over time, through physical and emotional injury, trauma, cultural messages, age and habits, our movement expression gets narrower and narrower. We forget the physical freedom we once enjoyed. Embodiment is a remembrance of our infinite energy and capability. Allowing ourselves to reconnect with universal spirit and express ourself in a soulful and meaningful way.
Mama Cacao! This plant medicine has brought me home time and time again to my heart space and power. For sure my favorite recipe has to be 30-40g ceremonial grade cacao sourced in Philippines, with some freshly squeezed coconut milk, a sprinkle of turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne pepper with a dash of local honey. The spices make for a super activating elixir that always leaves me feeling connected to my shakti essence.
I have a deep connection with my mind, body and spirit that allows me to eat and nourish my body intuitively. I personally feel the best with a whole foods, plant based diet, getting in all the colors of the rainbow everyday and being aware of the macronutrients on my plate. If we consider earth, animals and ourselves to the highest degree, what does our plate look like? I've always known mine and its a colorful prayer for a kinder world. Infused with gratitude and intention, I eat and move my body with the aim to simply feel good! As a practicing yogi I feel best when I create time in my morning for my practice, even if its just for 20 minutes. A bit of breathwork, meditation, movement practice and always a little dance is my go to medicine to nourish my body.
Muse: Megan
Photos: Bren Lopez
Wearing: Dharma Rashie, Cove Bottoms, Delta Shorts
www.aguarivaph.com
]]>I hope you taste your own love medicine first.
Before you open your heart in radiating love,
I hope you overflow with your own devotion first.
Before you desire flowers for admiration,
I hope there are already flowers blooming on the altar of your heart.
Before you embrace someone else’s darkness,
I hope your arms are wide open to accepting your weaknesses and defeat.
Before you see the good in this world,
I hope your eyes are open to see your divinity.
I hope this year, you choose courage.
To finally go back home to where there’s peace, joy, and abundance.
I hope you walk your truest self.
I hope that when you need you, there’s always you.
I hope you choose self-honesty,
Self-care
Self-love
And self-loyalty - that no matter what happens,
In spite of mistakes and bad decisions, you will be there for yourself no matter what.
I hope this year, you get to experience first all the love that you can give.
Words: Jillian Bacarisas
Muse: MirJam
Photos: Bren Lopez
]]>One With The Flow
We are not separate from nature.
We seem to be carrying too much worry, grief, and shame, and we always think we are running out of time. We hold on to our thoughts of “we could have been”, and we stretch ourselves so much for things we want the most only to be given a different result in the end - or a painful redirection.
How many disappointments, regret, anxiety, nervous breakdowns, and mental fatigue do we have to experience before we understand that this is just our existence telling us that this is not what we are supposed to be doing.
Nature deficit is the worst deficiency we could ever allow ourselves to be experiencing. When fear is driving our lives instead of creativity, maybe we lack nature. When we choose to be in bed the whole day rather than cooking a meal or taking a bath, maybe we lack the abundance of inspiration from nature.
When you think you’re not allowed to exist or the world hates you, maybe you need to be barefoot in the forest.
You are not separate from the intelligence that tells the tides to go and up and the flowers to bloom.
Slow down and connect to the only flow worth flowing for - the flow that made the Earth perfectly spin for every single living thing to process their existence.
There is an abundance of wisdom, love, relaxation, and answers in nature.
All it asks for you to do is to be one with it.
This collection is our ode to the only flow worth flowing for.
The giver of a deep understanding of surrender and trust.
The only dependable provider of inspiration and growth.
If the ocean is the heart of what we do, the Earth is our soul.
As long as there’s nature, our creation will live, our play will nourish, and our adventure will remain wild.
To every woman we reach that understands that we are not separate from the intelligence that tells the flowers to bloom.
To every Earth being that relies on the wisdom and strength of the flow.
To the girl who knows that she can play and dance this life out.
Our flow is Earth-crafted, we know the magic of what we can do when we trust it.
We are all tied under the same flow.
Photos: Tarish Zamora
Models: Camille Pilar and MJ de Castro
Words: Jillian Bacarisas
]]>
Photos: Gabs Batallones
Model: Lala
]]>You will beautifully extend yourself to the people under your love
Your nourishment will allow others to bloom
You will manifest all the love you are willing to give
You will create what was imagined
Your magic will work
Your medicine will heal
Your voice will shift worlds
Your inspiration will enrich the renewed
Your courage will love as much as it can
Your abundance will flow like a vine in your existence.
But first, rest.
Photos: Rebecca Formoso
Words: Jillian Bacarisas
Models: Tamara and Bella
]]>
She settled with the make-shift relief she gets from fulfilling it. She became a version of herself based on what is best for others.
But somehow along the abiding, and the walking on this path she took, she eventually longed to feel the real contentment of following her own intentions.
She understood her capacity to follow her heart and intuition.
Along side the burying of who she is, a realization came to her senses to remind her that she has the responsibility and privilege of blooming into her true self regardless of what it compromises.
She finally understood that who she is will always come out on the surface, no matter how she will try to conceal it.
She can disregard her inner-voice, but it will always find a way to be listened to. Every downfall will remind her that this is because she didn’t listen to it.
She knows she needs to dive deeper into what’s inside her.
It’s not easy because it’s a matter of letting go of what was once the safest way to flow.
It’s not easy because following herself is a risk.
It’s not easy because she will hurt and disappoint people. She doesnt want to.
But she knows she can never go wrong with following who she is and what it is that turns her mourning into dancing.
She now knows that she will always have the courage to continue following the map that is embedded inside her heart, no matter what.
Until she finally has the courage to choose the right but difficult choice.
Until all of her will follow all of who she is.
Model: Trina Rivilla
Photos: Monika Rivilla
Words: Jillian Bacarisas
]]>
We also shared meals and we played games with cool prizes with the kids. The response of joy, thanksgiving, and the big smiles the community showed us what makes the experience more of a benefit to us. Indeed giving is receiving.
Before the mission, we also reached out to people who are willing to help us realize the event. We were surprised of the number of friends; people who volunteered to participate, and the organizations who donated to the cause.
Our hearts are grateful because of how our genuine intention to help, grew into a successful mission that made a typical beach trip into a more gratifying one.
We look forward to do more of this, to grow this kind of love, and pass it around.
Photos: Trina Rivilla, Sach Aoki, Louie Nocum
Words: Jillian Bacarisas
]]>
The inamorata is your self-empowered and independent woman who doesn’t need your love to survive, but will at least keep you around up until the very moment she decides she’d rather leave for solitude or for something more worthwhile. That’s just a nice way of saying it’s manipulative, I suppose.
It’s a pessimistic, selfish view on love in the sense that you’re being consumed by someone who is incapable of showing the same affection back to you, but you’re being blinded by the glimmer in her eye.
It’s really supposed to make you feel upset or angry for the inamorata’s partner, but the song’s groove distracts from that.
I wrote this song speaking rhetorically, a mix-up of stories I’ve heard from friends getting in and out of what I thought, were terrible relationships. I felt frustrated and went to write the song as my secret perspective of how I saw things in my view.
Songwriting, singing and arranging music has given me the platform to say exactly what I want to say without having to explain it in extreme detail. No one had to know what I was singing about unless they asked. And everyone is entitled to hear the song and its lyrics and elaborate upon their own interpretation, yet there can never be a wrong answer to what it means.
The beauty is that someone could listen to Inamorata and consider it a love song about a gorgeous romance between two people and I wouldn’t tell them otherwise. Though they’re my words, the stories are universal. Some people want to dance to the song but others would want to cry.
When we released the song in our EP, I made an accompanying zine that had all the lyrics and some stories behind all the songs. So for inamorata, I talked about how I was inspired by the female praying mantes, and I got a few funny remarks from when I stated: “This song isn’t so literal in the sense of a human relationship but more within the insect world.” And proceeded to talk about how the female praying mantis bites their partners head off during sex, and then eats them, which in turn feeds her future children.
It was totally confusing for me to say that an episode of animal planet inspired me to write this catchy love song but it was part of the creative process toward the song which I wanted to share to show how broad the symbolism behind a song can be.”
For anyone who is looking for their music can head on to Spotify and search their band name “Cerise” We have also included a link below!
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HeWKf0GFjz9Nje8pfhubj?si=-RTDMwd-Tl6Rvhxqp625Fw
Photos by: Monika Rivilla
]]>
We met Keiko surfing in Siargao Island several years ago and then later again in her home Salon Studio in our island neighborhood – she inspires us with the way her being glows and radiates happiness and kindness.
Read our interview below to get a glimpse of a day in the life of Keiko Tsukamoto.
Remember those times when you would get anxious about people’s opinions of you?
Your childhood crush, some girls in school, certain family members, friends and acquaintances alike.
I kept believing myself when I said that my actions should conform to the standards of the people around me.
And then came that faithful day when I realized that acting through the standards and expectations of others has left me more drained than satisfied. It’s hard to put up a front all the time, like a mask or a uniform painted with what people expect you to be, the one that you can’t wait to take off as soon as you find yourself alone with you. Where you could breathe, laugh and just be.
Then, it dawned on me. If I was so happy just being, why do I make huge efforts to mask my truths and dull my sparkle?
It occurred to me that while others' perception of you may be significant at one point, it does not define you as a person and while opinions and criticism can be constructive, you do not have to be anything other than yourself if you are happy.
Be free,
let loose.
Know your truths and respect the truths of others.
Learn from your mistakes.
Do the things that will bring out the confidence in you.
Do the things that will invigorate your soul.
Ignite that passion you have deep inside you.
Just be.
Life will always have challenges. You will find some people will always disagree with how you shine your light. It's inevitable. The most complicated yet most beautiful part of being human.
But as the great Dalai Lama once said: it is more useful to be aware of a single shortcoming in ourselves than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else.
Before all others, give yourself love and compassion.
Remain unfazed.
Everything else will follow.
Model: Trish Molina
Photos: James Lontoc
Layout: Aijalonica Lei
Hair and Make up: Poi Jakosalem
]]>
]]>
]]>