Taste Matters!

The holiday rush has obviously taken over our lives the past few weeks. But this post is still a juicy, good news for all of us.

The BTH meet last December 10 was a huge treat for the F.A.R.M.ers in attendance, and a heads-up for F.A.R.M.ers, believers and supporters everywhere.

It wasn't the fine Chinese resto in Eastwood and its sumptuous serving of authentic cuisine that dominated the evening. It wasn't the red and green outfits and pretty purses that stood out.

It was the unbelievable, unsolicited amount of generosity, selflessness, love, and friendship that prevailed. For a few but critical reasons.

The level of commitment and enthusiasm from F.A.R.M.ers is on a constant upward trend. Pledges of interest, monetary or otherwise, continue to pour in.

A whopping P75,000.00 ($1,600.00) additional funds came true that evening making the Buttons to Hope fund increase signicantly to P307,807.75 ($6,549.00). Whoa! 6 t0 7 scholars get their chance to be in school this June!

It is amazing how one can give up her precious shopping money for others to have better lives. How one can spend priced time and effort to work hard and make a change.

The F.A.R.M.ers had a sneak preview of the 20-minute documentary on Buttons to Hope, which was conceptualized, shot, directed and edited by F.A.R.M.er and award-winning director Ray Defante Gibraltar.

The short film showcases the social dimensions of F.A.R.M. It speaks about its objective of educating and empowering Baao's youth through Buttons to Hope. One commented, "It was like I was watching a docu on CNN. Very heartwarming. Nicely done. Really inspiring." The film will be officially launched in 2010.

Finally, the F.A.R.M.ers 'artfully recycled' old, unused belongings and shared them with one another. Nothing else would be possible if there were no love and friendship in the first place. Look what F.A.R.M. has done. Beautiful friendship among beautiful people.

Thank you to lovely sisters Sandra and Sheila Sanchez for hosting this unforgettable Christmas event. We owe you big time!

So to end, what do you think makes these wonderful people stick together and think about others' welfare? F.A.R.M., good intentions, and yes, a whole lot of taste!

Happy holidays everyone!

How Posh!

No lies - for every posh woman, there is F.A.R.M.

Oh, there are two posh women, and they wear F.A.R.M.!

No lies - you Wheng and Queenie are among the sweetest and yes, most stunning F.A.R.M.ers we've ever met! You're not sisters, are you? :=)

A Button-Filled Christmas (2)

In the real sense of the phrase, indeed!

These girls, who tag themselves as "sisters in the hood" are the gurus of artful recycling.

And it is just fitting to say that they are the very first advocates of the principles behind F.A.R.M. - women empowerment, passion for the arts, love for the environment.

Tootsie, Bidibidi, Ritzie and Lilette (and Ann) have gone close and personal through the years. The interesting part is, they always celebrate Christmas together, with such an artful twist.

This year's all about buttons. Gold, vintage ones completed the set-up. And their black tops had chic button accents, too!

Two thumbs up to our seasoned F.A.R.M.ers! Your passion and friendship simply rock!

F.A.R.M. in Boracay!

Spotted.

In undeniably one of the world's, if not the world's most beautiful island. Boracay.

A family that's undeniably one of the biggest, most loyal supporters of F.A.R.M.

Cool!

A Button-Filled Christmas

It was an early but very merry Christmas treat for Bicol-based F.A.R.M.ers when they partied non-stop under Naga's bright city lights on the 4th of December.

Italian for everyone's palate, zestful get-ups, really nice purses....

Their friendship has grown unbelievably stronger. You can see from the smiles and giggles.

From the excitement that's obviously overflowing.

But there is something that makes everything work rather well. That little ingredient is the key.

It's crystal clear.

F.A.R.M. it is! Merry Christmas! And have a button-filled one!

F.A.R.M. all Packed Up for the Holidays!

Like Santa's busy elves, our F.A.R.M. angels worked double time this month to weave and pack your F.A.R.M. bracelets for the holidays!

Our mother hen will be away for a while but she got us all covered. Send your orders to farmbaao@gmail.com!

There is a way we can look both fabulous and bounteous for so little a price.

Give a piece of F.A.R.M. Be beautiful. And help our angels' dreams come true.

Wrap a F.A.R.M. this Christmas!

F.A.R.M.er Jo Badong-Davis is giving away F.A.R.M. bracelets to friends this Christmas.

So thoughtful and sweet. Why don't you do the same? Email us for orders.

This will be F.A.R.M.'s first Christmas and we wanna make it memorable and fun. Post or send us nice photos of you and F.A.R.M. this season. Thanks and have a happy, button-filled holidays!

Buttons to Hope Hall of Fame (3)

Thank you F.A.R.M.ers for continuing to believe in our advocacy and supporting our cause. As of 26 November 2009, the Buttons to Hope project has raised 237,947.75 ($4,935.00) worth of cash and pledges.

Here are the list of our contributors:

1) Bernadette de los Santos, Baao, Philippines - 43.8%

2) Teresa de los Santos-Salah, USA - 14.2%

3) Mariflor Llorens-Taduran, USA - 8.9%

4) Gladys Barrameda-Sadang, Ireland - 6.2%

5) Jezrille Arroyo-Cariaga, Manila, Philippines - 6.1%

6) Jane Barcenas-Bisuna, Manila, Philippines - 4.6%

7) Simonette Brigola-Feria, Manila, Philippines - 4%

8) Jocelie Britanico, UAE- 2.2%

9) Charina Imperial-Francisco, Manila, Philippines - 2.2%

10) Perlie Botardo-de los Santos, USA - 2.2%

11) Pure Panambo, USA - 2.1%

12) Joan Badong-Davis, USA - 1.8%

13) Perfecto Taduran, Manila, Philippines - 1.6%

Check out our list in September and October.

The amounts were raised from production, donations, meeting sponsorships, and sales. Bernadette has been pitching in consistently big amounts because production of the bracelets have been good thanks to all of us. Let us order more, sell more, and we can send more scholars to school!

Thank you from the button of our hearts!

Black and Red

Tomorrow, December 1, let us wear our black and red F.A.R.M. to grieve and seek justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre; and to condemn violence and lawlessness in our country...

Let us be one in making the world a better and safer place for everyone. We can.

Spice it up with F.A.R.M.

Beautiful Sandra Sanchez shows her Europe crowd mainstream fashion with an exotic twist.

She pulls it off so nicely with just plain jacket, aviator sunglasses and F.A.R.M.

That gives 'travelling in style' a whole lot of sense.

Spice up fashion with F.A.R.M.