SPCM HS'76 Now!
SPCM HS'76 alumnae are cordially inviting
everyone -- regardless of batch or Paulinian Alma Mater -- to lend a hand to
residents of the Vigil House, the home for ailing SPC Sisters located at 3rd
St. corner Hemady, New Manila, Quezon City, behind SPCQC. If your class,
organization or company would like to know how you can help, pls contact Paulinian Global Foundation
board member Mary Ann "Shankee" Sancianco-Miranda at ashankee@yahoo.com. You can also visit her SPC Vigil House Page to learn
about more developments. Thanks!
Tips by Kitkat Bonnevie-Sanvictores ’76 and Emma Z. Mijares
Smart Dressing for the Corporate Woman
(Source:
Jobstreet.com 2003, http://ph.jobstreet.com/career/streetwise/women3.htm)
Despite the workplace trend to
dress down, women would do well to dress to impress as they make their way up
the corporate ladder. Here, two successful career women share their bag of
tricks on dressing for success.
Heads turn as Katrina
Sanvictores strides across the conference room. She cuts an impressive figure
in a white blouse and light blue skirt-suit, with elegant, simple accessories
and subdued makeup rounding off her career woman-on-the-go look. She steps up
the podium and starts to speak. Everyone listens attentively.
Katrina, a manager at the
Export and Industry Bank in Makati City, understands the principles of dressing
to impress.
Bonnevie
Sisters Kitkat and Christine (our SPCM GS’71 batchmate)... having fun during SPCM Homecoming 2001!
Both DLSU Liberal Arts / Commerce grads,
Kitkat is Small and Medium Enterprise Manager at Export-Import Bank in Makati;
she’s also national director of Phil Exporters Confederation. That’s Christine’s
unica hija, Chris Ann, on the left.
"Dressing well is
essential," she explains. "It's not about how many clothes you have
or how expensive they are, but how you package yourself," she says.
"You're trying to project a successful image, and a smart physical
appearance does a lot to help you make your way up the corporate ladder."
Look good,
feel good
On a personal level, Katrina
says there are undeniable psychological benefits to knowing you're dressed your
best. "When you know you look good, you feel good. You're able to speak
with confidence and walk with assurance and stand tall and straight. All these
jibe with your efforts to reach your work goal of upward mobility."
Despite the current workplace
trend to dress down, Katrina strongly advises doing the exact opposite,
particularly for women looking to get a promotion.
"Sure, there may be less
gender bias nowadays, but let's face it, women still encounter greater
obstacles than men in the corporate race to the top," she points out.
"Come to the office in sloppy attire, and the higher-ups aren't likely to
take you as a serious contender for a more responsible post. Why make it harder
on yourself?"
Okay, you concede it may be
time for a wardrobe overhaul. But you ask: How do I go about making that shift
from dressing comfortably to dressing for success?
Classic's
still best
Unless you work in the
entertainment media and other less traditional industries where individuality
is cherished, Katrina says women's surest and safest bet is to adhere to
classic styles. "With conventional business suits, you're less likely to
commit style boo-boos. Wear them particularly when attending high-level
meetings and business presentations where you want to make an impact. Tailored
suits give the impression of authority and credibility," she says.
As for color options, the bank
executive prefers neutral to dark shades, and shuns bright hues that
"shout at others a mile away." She warns: "What you don't want
is overdo things and appear TH (trying hard)."
Emma Mijares, deputy executive
director of a multisectoral policy body, the Export Development Council,
concurs. "Black or other dark-colored pantsuits and skirt-suits are
standard garb for me, too. These I often pair with an inner blouse that may
vary from white to pastels and bright colors," she notes.
Perfect fit
And make sure the fit is
impeccable, Emma admonishes. "No matter how well chosen your attire, if
it's too tight or too big, it's a disaster." She adds that women would do
well to invest in a full-length mirror at home to see how they appear to other
people.
Getting the dress basics down
pat isn't the end of it, though. Both Katrina and Emma say there are still a
few neat tricks you can do to pull off that corporate look to perfection.
For one, wear stockings and
medium-heeled pumps to cover unsightly varicose veins and other physical
imperfections and project that polished look. Dainty sandals may also be worn,
but be sure your toenails are clean and polished.
What about undergarments?
Whatever good points you earn are easily erased when you have to pull up your
slipping bra strap while talking to your boss or your pantyline shows through
your pants or skirt as you write on the whiteboard. Chuck ill-fitting bras and
wear high-waisted panties instead of bikini styles so the elastic isn't visible
around the hips.
Accessories
for variety
And don't underestimate the
power of accessories, either. Scarves and simple, classic jewelry enhance your appearance
much more than you think. "It's one way to bring variety to your style and
look -- making you a more interesting personality -- so that even if you have a
limited wardrobe, people won't know," Katrina says.
She points out that you don't
necessarily have to wear snatcher-bait real jewelry -- check out those quality
fashion jewelry items now being sold at discounted rates at the malls and
choose the ones that look restrained but stylish.
Kitkat (in
tangerine) with ’76 Paulinians -- Chiching
Reyes, Eileen Niguidula, Gigi Besa. Vicky de Joya, Grace Domdom, Irene
Laurente, Gina Olondriz, Lui Galvez, Bellay Abelleda, Marilen Arrastia, Lorna
Santillan, Baba Arellano -- during Volleyball
Funday, in conjunction with SPCM HS76’s Silver Jubilee / SPCM General Alumnae
Homecoming in Jan 2001. More photos.
Another important reminder:
Don't step out of the house without makeup. "Done right, makeup will
always improve your looks, no matter how beautiful you may already be,"
Emma insists, but cautions against overdoing it. "Err on the side of
understated makeup rather than thick coloration because the latter makes you
look garish and cheap."
Use light foundation and face
powder in natural tones, a light shade of lipstick, brown eyebrow liner and
mascara/eyeliner to highlight your best facial features, she says.
Last but not least, take care
of your crowning glory. Get a good hair stylist to give you a modern, upbeat
cut. Highlights are permissible, so long as they are soft and natural looking.
Dress tips
To look your office best, these
two women offer the following tips:
Avoid faddish and sexy outfits.
Neon colors, sneakers and
denims are out.
Accessories should be simple.
Perfume should not be too
"loud."
Style experts recommend that to
get a feel of the right way to dress, study the clothing habits of admirable
women. Look at famous personalities, colleagues, friends and acquaintances that
you think are well groomed and take down notes. Do they go for monochromatic
color schemes or mix-and-match colors? What accessories do they use? What
hairstyles complement their faces? How do they apply makeup?
When you think you've learned
enough, go to classy department stores to see what's on their racks. No, you're
not there to blow away your life savings, but to see how expensive, quality
clothes are made. Check the seams, the fabrics used, current styles, etc.
Make planned
purchases
Then go to your favorite
clothes store and make careful, planned purchases taking into account all your
observations -- and your budget.
In the long run, it pays to
invest in duds that are a "little bit expensive" since they last
longer, according to Emma. "Most of what I have now are already about
three years old. They're rather costly, but the quality and style have
withstood frequent washing and wearing, unlike the cheaper ones. "
She adds that as you acquire
the skills for fine dressing and complete your basic wardrobe, you can exercise
more versatility and creativity. "Try experimenting with mixing and
matching colors until you arrive at your own unique, personal style."
Katrina says a startup capital
of P5,000 is often sufficient to build your basic wardrobe. "That initial
investment can already include two skirts, a pair of pants, a blouse, two pairs
of shoes, a bag, scarves, stockings and even a dress, depending on where you
shop. Once you have the basic items, you can just set aside about P500 to
P1,000 a month for regular purchases," she said.
Her advice: To extend your
purchasing power, buy items on sale or take advantage of regular store-wide
sale promos at the SM Shoemart, Robinson's and other shopping malls.
"Buy smart," says
Emma. "I try not to spend so much by buying only coordinates that even
look good paired with our uniform."
It also helps that Emma sews.
Buying fabrics and sewing them cost less than purchasing RTW, she says.
"The money left over I use to buy shoes and accessories."
What really
matters
But in the end both Emma and
Katrina assert that being well dressed is not enough -- it should go
hand-in-hand with real knowledge about your work. "You may dress like a
CEO but if you're just bluffing your way up, a no-nonsense executive can easily
spot a shallow head above those tasteful clothes," Katrina says.
Emma agrees that nothing beats
talent and performance to get you to the top. "In our line of work, more
than being dressed right, you need to be well-versed in current issues to
interact with top government and business officials. And many companies
nowadays just don't really care about how you're suited up as long as you
deliver. But brains coupled with power dressing skills are still an unbeatable
combination, and if you have both, why not use them to your advantage?"
Agnes Cayco
visits Sr Miriam
June 2003, Tuguegarao
City / Aparri, Cagayan.
Hello everyone!! I recently had the opportunity of visiting Saint Paul University in Tuguegarao City. I met up with Sister Miriam Raymond, now 84 yrs. old, but still very sharp. She sends her warm regards to all of you.
SPU was founded as Colegio de San Pablo on 10 May 1907 by one
Chinese and four French nuns belonging to the St. Paul of Chartres
congregation. It holds the distinction of being the only university among the
39 Saint Paul schools in the Philippines, having been conferred university
status in 1982. For more info, visit SPU’s official website at http://www.spu.edu.ph.
I also visited Aparri up north and was pleasantly surprised to see St. Paul School of Aparri (above rt).
Regards.
Agnes
’75 PS: For a roster of SPC Philippine congregation membership including Sisters on foreign missions, along with a list of Philippine SPC schools and their contact addresses, see Claretian Communications’ Religious Women of the Philippines (requires PDF Reader).
Jan 2003 Reunion with Rosemer
Albovias-Enverga
Rosemer was visiting Manila from
Canada for a family emergency. '76 Paulinians and SPC Sisters including Sr
Luisa and company (above and below) made sure they got together with her during
her short stay.
Fast fact: Now a Toronto resident,
Rosemer was given the "Most Outstanding Canadian Award for 2001" by
Ontario officials in recognition of her outstanding social and community
service. Among others, Rosemer and her family are active in the Majayjay
(Laguna) Club of Toronto/Ontario where she serves as the PRO. In her acceptance
speech, she credited her Paulinian training as a factor in instilling
civic-mindedness in her. Rosemer is also member of the St Scho Alumnae
Association of Canada along with our '75 batchmates Jowie Corpus and Ana Paras.
Oct 2002 Get-together with Sr Miriam
SPCM HS'76 Paulinians including (l-r) Tavi
Villapando ('76 Chair), Vivian Recio, Agnes Cayco and Shankee Sancianco met with
our former SPCM grade school principal, Sister Miriam. In addition to helping
the retired and ailing nuns at the SPC Vigil House, '76ers are
also trying to raise scholarship funds for Education students at St Paul
University in Tuguegarao where Sister Miriam is a consultant; a pledge of P5000
a year supports one scholar. Anyone who can help the '76 ladies in their
community outreach endeavors may call Shankee at ashankee@yahoo.com.
First SPCM
HS'76 Silver Jubilee 2001 Meeting
Chiching Reyes' Residence, 28 Jan
2000.
Front: Vivian Recio, Eileen Niguidula,
Bellay Abelleda, Janette San Juan, Ace de
Guzman // Row 2: Agnes Cayco, Eva
Asuncion, Grace Domdom, Tonette Montojo, Chiching Reyes // Row 3: Cris Lorenzo,
Angie Concio, Rossi
Revilla, Kitkat Bonnevie, Lorna Santillan
// Back: Eleanor Reyes, Lui
Galvez, Shankee Sancianco, Tavi Villapando, Baba Arellano
2001 Homecoming Weekend: PAAM invitation. Batch 76 Dinner. Volleyball Fun Day. Lunch at the Quad. Live at the Fleur-de-Lis. SPCM HS'76 Website.
Please send pictures to '75 Web Admin
at SPCM_HS75@hotmail.com .
Back to www.PAULINIANS.com .
Latest page update8.19.2003
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