My personal celebration of Philippine Independence Day got extended with a new pair of special havaianas® flip-flops that I got today. Havaianas Philippines sent me their limited-edition Filipinas, which are “emblazoned with renditions of Filipino pride.”

And they were serious about the nationalistic campaign. They sent the flip-flops along with truly Filipino icons: a miniature jeepney replica, a bag of dried mangoes, and a packet of Choc•Nuts!! Seeing the Choc•Nuts brought to mind images of my much younger days… Suddenly, comfortable tsinelas and those pseudo-chocolate goodies do make a nostalgic match.

“Emblazoned with renditions of Filipino pride, the Limited Edition Havaianas Filipinas Collection features the style Havaianas Filipinas Plain, which showcases a stylized pin of Philippine colors and the style Havaianas Filipinas Print, which features the ever-enduring symbol of Filipino culture, art and lifestyle, the Jeepney, rendered in edgy silver, with either black or metallic silver straps.”

Which is what I got, the pair with the silver straps, studded with the colors of the Philippine flag.

The Limited Edition Havaianas Filipinas Collection–specially designed and produced for the Philippines–arrived in stores on the 12th of June, in celebration of Independence Day. In Davao City, havaianas® flip-flops are available in SM City, Chimes, and other specialty stores.

What I enjoy about wearing havaianas®, it gives you a pretty valid — and sometimes fashionable — excuse to wear slippers outside. And in my line of work, where I’m not expected to come in formal attire too often, I can really get away with wearing casual footwear to a meeting with clients, or when I work at any of my favorite cafés.

Thanks to Havaianas Philippines for my ‘proudly Filipino’ flip-flops! And thanks to my friend, Marga, for getting me in the exclusive list of recipients of the Havaianas Filipinas Collection!

Speaking of matters nationalistic, today is the 118th birth anniversary of our national hero, Dr. José Rizal.