So this is Paradise

As the temperature rises, naughty behaviour hits an all-time high! With half-naked bodies prancing around by the herds, the sun melting all responsible thoughts away and the intoxicating scent of coconut oil wafting in the air, it really is hard to stay good.

The hard glittery glam of last season now fades away into the so-over galaxy – gleaming skin and naughty stares are this season’s ultimate fashion statements. Summer 02 is easy, sensual, raw and fight all the way.

Summer with all its sexual come-ons, is all about scandales and dramedies. As implosions derived from the temptations of the flesh spread like an epidemic around our wanton archipelago, you better make sure you face all the adversity in style.

This summer, step out about town in wedged sandals with boldly colored toes, short "scandale" shorts, flimsy dresses and microscopic tank tops anchored by dental floss-thin straps. Decency is not an option ... it’s lights, camera, bold star time baby!

Feel the pleasure of the mai-tais and spiked smoothies as they transport you into Baywatch land (with the matching IQ), there is nothing to fear but the bulge of your tummy. So screw it if you’re going crazy with your Xenadrine, summer is the time where style slaves work overtime.

As an avid carnivore, I have now become a true-blue (blue in its truest sense) omnivore as I have a faux feast with steamed cauliflowers and Kikkomanned asparagus. This is the price to pay for those skimpy outfits that summer demands me to wear.

The U team, headed by Joel Tantoco, along with Katrina and Hindy Tantoco who comprise the U design team, launched their summer campaign entitled "SummerScapes" early this March revolving around the theme of summer romance. "It’s a very emotional campaign that explores the innocent and sensual aspects of love," Joel expresses. The summer shoot was photographed by Lilen Uy and featured the hottest fresh faces that embody the raw sexiness that U evokes. Among the new U faces are Fitz Puyat, Nikki Revilla, Paolo Cabalfin, Girlie Benitez and Katrina Tantoco. "SummerScapes" expresses the soulful moments in peace, love, romance, happiness and friendship. "We present summer al fresco in our summer collections which are inspired by post-modern Cuban, dreamy Riviera, mystical gypsy, retro sport, vintage rock and sporty chic," Joel reveals.

So this summer, it’s not the time to be shy. This season, nice do girls finish last.

So where did all the solar-hungry fashion monsters go to greet the much-awaited summer season? Well, to Bora – Boracay, of course! And the U team of Rustan’s was there to make sure that being sexy meant being in style! With U Tiki Huts set all throughout the ivory coastlines of Boracay, there was absolutely no excuse for anyone to be a dud in the sun. The Tiki Huts carried everything, from U’s latest fashion offerings for summer to summer essentials such as sunblock and skincare products from Hawaiian Tropic.

The U summer event entitled "Summer Soulstice" paid tribute to sundrenched fashion, passion, music, and freedom that embodied U’s vision for summer. After a season of bondage and whips, it’s time to loosen up and let the skin do all the seducing. From March 26 to 31, U participated in some of the week’s hottest festivities including the summer staple Manomission series, complete with the margarita-soaked sunset sessions and the cult evening events. U also spread their style wings at other events such as the Wherelse? parties, including the much-awaited Dimitri event that was nothing less than fight!

As if having a taste of U’s addictive fashion narcotics and nocturnal events wasn’t enough, Bora trekkers were treated to a myriad of treats cooked up by the U team. Shop or no shop, the Bora crowd was indulged upon with freebies from Rustan’s, as lipglosses and skincare products were given away by the U crew. The envy/lust -inducing U-Hawaiian Tropic models, who wore differently-themed U outfits every day, made each day my birthday by rubbing icy cold Hawaiian Tropic aloe gel on my sun-seared shoulders every afternoon during the sunset sessions. However, the truest source of bliss came in the form of the U summer CD mixed by Manolet Dario himself. The CD, which is a gift with purchase, is described by Joel as "The new cool. A chill, easy and non-disruptive collection of songs that rounds out U’s vision of summer."

What scares me really is that this is just the beginning. With my golden tan and rapidly deteriorating judgment, all I could think about is being a bold star again in my hot pants and tank tops. So I say go ahead and be a tart and enjoy the solar bacchanalia.

By the way, if you missed U’s "Summer Soulstice" in Boracay, you can still catch the summer fashion bug at the U floor at Rustan’s Makati and Alabang.