MANILA, Philippines?Gone are the days when rubber slippers were worn only on the beach. Brazil?s Havaianas raised the lowly ?tsinelas? to an entirely different fashion dimension and made it a status symbol.

As Havaianas becomes more stylish and amazes its followers, it has also made its way to the patriotic hearts of Filipinos with its new set of embellishments?from the Philippine map, to the iconic jeepney, and the cute and endangered tarsiers.

It also appears that the Swarovski gems, an all-time favorite embellishment would have to relinquish its throne to the tarsier pins.

?This is a great way to celebrate the relationship between Filipinos and Havaianas. Filipinos are very near and dear to our Havaianas,? said Anne Gonzales, managing director of Terry SA, the official local distributor of the flip-flop brand, during the Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) launch.

Now on its fourth year, MYOH has gone even better with more possible sole-strap combinations in the popular Havaianas top and slim designs.

This year?s collection boasts of pins showcasing Filipino pride like colorful vintas and embellishments with words ?Noypi? as well as lifestyle pins like yoga and lomo cameras.

Pia Magalona, who was at the event launch, said she stopped counting how many Havaianas pairs she owned but it could be around 150 pairs?and counting. This was apart from the pairs her eight children have.

Magalona said she became a Havaianas fanatic back in 2005, when she discovered that comfort and class could go together in a simple pair of rubber slippers.

She added that Havaianas could go very well with the country?s unpredictable weather?perfect for both sunny and rainy days.

The MYOH will indeed unleash the designer in you but it could test your patience; getting your unique pair at the MYOH might take hours because of long lines but yes, it will be worth it.

It?s a good thing however that Havaianas style wheels are all over the MYOH venue at Rockwell tent so it will be easier for slipper lovers to think of their very unique Havaianas designs. Menus will also be given out so Havaianas makers can easily understand what their clients want with their pairs.

The MYOH will run from May 28 to June 1, 2009 during mall hours at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City.