IN ROMANCE FICTION, NOT EVERYONE MUST BE PERFECT

 

Paunchy male heroes with average incomes rarely happen in romance novels. But when one John Hall happened in 'Just Another Day at the Office', falling in love with this portly guy holding a mid-level management job, is very very possible.

Author Hedonist Six classified her novel as erotica/FFA romance. Oh yeah, there was sex, but they were not overkill. 

The heady experience from reading their intimate scenes comes from the author's crafty characterization of the two leads. An attractive, aggressive, sexy heroine who's comfortable with her sexuality. A good-looking overweight hero who's a great turn-on because despite his insecurity, he's a normal male - - gentle, sensitive, can pack a mean punch, a peeping-tom, and enjoys sex time with his lady love.

The sexual tension between them is always there, thanks to the carefully contrived incidents in the office and their homes.

This book's more of a 'fluttering' romance for me. 


 

Reviewing 'Becoming Mrs Walsh'

About the Book

Shoshana Thompson is 26 years old, miles from home, and engaged to Andrew Walsh, the last single Walsh brother of one of Washington, D.C.'s wealthiest families. Throughout her engagement she becomes enamored with the Walsh lifestyle.

Life in the fast lane comes to a screeching halt when Shoshana develops feelings for another man. When she discovers the feelings may not be one-sided, things are about to get a lot more complicated. This man is not only part of her fancy new world, he is also completely off-limits.




Becoming Mrs Walsh deserved being a 2013 top 10 Chick Lit Plus book.

It satisfied reading fulfillments letting us live vicariously through the characters - - experiencing their conflicts and doubts, deriving giddy delight in the unfolding romance between the heroine (Shoshana) and Mark, the man she can't be with.

Many events - - none of them boring - - take place in the book which show the characters' virtues and quirks and how they complement each other, that it's almost painful to stop reading the book. 

There are no obnoxious characters here. In fact Drew Walsh, one of the key male leads, is appealing despite his hush-hush personality. He has strong moments in the book especially when he bares that he knows and notices a lot about people. 

But Mark, is hands-down ultra hot. The author (Jessica Gordon) has successfully created one of the winningest male heroes by not going over the top with him.

Subtlety and nuanced scenes magnify readers' senses.

Freedom from want

This July is National Nutrition Month and the theme is “Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan.” Time to flag everyone's concern about hunger and malnutrition especially among the helpless young.
    

Government, NGOs, companies with a conscience, concerned individuals - - they meet regularly and implement community-support projects. We admire and respect them for acting.

But will this lead to ending global hunger, especially here where most Filipinos consider themselves 'mahirap'?
 
In a 2012 SWS poll, 54 percent of Pinoys (or some 10.9 million families) claim to be poor. In depressed communities, a poor family consists of six members. Six hungry mouths per family, even while this sounds too emo. 

A poverty statistics report said that a family of five needed P4,869 monthly income to meet the basic food needs and P7,017 to stay out of poverty. 
     
It's easy to say that an information campaign on nutrition education is key to helping everyone get into the right mindset when feeding one's family. But how will that help 'yung sobrang mahirap' who are more familiar with food insecurity than other day-to-day concerns?

Created in 1947 and having undergone restructuring and renaming through the years, the National Nutrition Council (bless them) - the highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition, has been carrying out priority livelihood and nutrition education programs.
 
Last July 2, the Philippines coalesced with the global SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) Movement that is founded on the principle that everyone has the right to food and good nutrition. Signing up with SUN - thus joining other 40 countries - was the main point of the NNC's nutrition month launch. NNC has lined up other priority actions for this month, that includes a hunger concert and hunger summit.
 
NNC has a weekly nutrition radio program on DZXL where their guests give expert info on food production, food fortification, breastfeeding and healthy lifestyle behavior. Listen to them every Saturday, 12.30 p.m.
 
In our personal capacities, what can we do to reduce hunger and malnutrition?
 
Here are practical steps anyone of us can do at any given day to help break the daily vicious cycle of hunger and malnutrition for those we know in need of relief.

• Create your own homeyard vegetable garden (and give some of your  fresh produce to a poor family you know)

•  Avoid food wastage. Cook and eat just enough food. But if cooking too much can't be avoided, bigyan mo din kapitbahay na mahirap. Somehow this way, you give the family a break by effecting a sense of food security or food satisfaction, especially for the children.

• On Facebook, ask your friends to help you put into action a donate-food-to-the-disadvantaged neighborhood project and turn over, as a group, the collected goods  to your beneficiaries. You can do this sans fanfare or have photos taken with your friends during the handover, blog about it, instagram it, whatever. The payoff here is you fed.
  

• Donate money you can afford to food security programs in your community or to government-led projects.

It’s nice to do a good deed. 

PH Economy: Cruising at City Speed while in the Highway

Not only is it more fun in the Philippines, but it is actually doing very well economically. This positive assurance was shared by four business and trade leaders in the government and private-sector at a business forum held last February at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City.

The economic pulse defined the framework of the conference, billed "Marketing Goods & Services in a Robust Philippine Economy,” and organized by 720cc (Seven Twenty Degrees Consumer Connect), a re-branded two-year old media agency Plus with a 40-year heritage in the local ad industry.

The keynote speaker, Dr Emilio Antonio from the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) apprised the audience on the economic landscape, past and forecast.  Charts presented at the forum showed the positive indicators stimulating the economy, from US$ shortages to surplus, interest rates down and focused efforts to stimulate the economy.

Dr Emilio Antonio says the Philippines
is now next to China in terms of savings rate.

Another speaker, Ms. Brenda Mendoza - NEDA Director of Trade, Industries and Utilities – revealed  that the GDP during the last three quarters of 2012 registered a growth of 67% equivalent to 2.6% points increase (6.5) over the same period in 2011 (3.9).  Growth rate in industries during the same period scored a 4.5% points rise in 2012 over the preceding year (from 1.8% to 6.3%), while the services sector chalked up a 2.7% gain over 2011. It was a consensus among the economic leaders that the Philippines is now next to China in terms of savings rate.

The economic impact on certain industries were discussed by Prof. Eric Soriano of the Ateneo Graduate School and Mr. Gabs Buluran, TNS Philippines general manager.

Professor Soriano predicted that growing affluence and investment appetite will fuel property sales. He said government infrastructure is starting to move, consumer sentiment is getting better and areas outside of the National Capital Region are getting favorable.

Mr. Buluran reiterated that at 7.4% growth, the Philippines was best performer in Asia next to China. Service markets like BPOs provided employment thereby boosting lifestyle spend. The OFWs and the BPOs tap all available media. Consumption of media, he said, mirrors the economic trends with platforms not bound by time and space, gaining solid ground on the consumers' habits.

He also said that more than 12 million urban Filipinos from ABCD class, aged 16-65, are on social networks with 2,533,981 building relationships with brands. Internet penetration was highest among 34 years old and below, with the teens accessing the Internet more. Moreover, the Internet along with the mobile phone are the key channels used by OFW families, with Facebook reigning supreme. 11 hours is the average time spent online each week.

The Economic Briefing was a pulsing report provided for clients of 720cc (www.720cc.com) and invited marketers of products and services.

Delia Saguil, 720cc president

Confident of the country’s economic uptrend, 720cc president Delia Saguil said their technology and communications expertise will not only ride this upbeat but will also open new avenues for growth through relevant, efficient and effective connections with defined target markets. She added that 720cc is the ideal technology partner because of their expertise in due diligence and their ability to analyze relevant issues and use learnings to pursue practical, relevant and measurable goals.

 

What’s inside Golden Herbs Coffee Supreme & why you'll love it

This coffee which comes in a convenient pre-mix drink in single serve sachets shows promise especially for those with a driving passion for coffee.

Why?

It has two powerful herbs that are good for human health – moringa oleifera and ashitaba –with a sweetener - stevia, a plant sugar which is a healthy sugar good for diabetics and those who want to reduce their weight.  Its taste is soothingly familiar, like a very light brew of barako. 

As you sip it, its mild calming aroma envelops your nostrils. Even when piping hot, there is no burning sensation. The coffee goes down easily.

Hence, the name Golden Herbs Coffee Supreme, which was launched very recently by PeakLife Inc, and its mother company, Empower Marketing Inc., a 100 percent Filipino-owned company that champions the buying of Filipino-made products. The coffee's wide-scale launch through the company's national sales network comes 10 years after the market introduction of Golden Herbs Tonic, a nutraceutical drink made from 12 premium herbs co-actively working to boost the body's immune system.

The coffee supreme formulation was made by a team of Filipino scientists and doctors, who did research for at least 25 years at the Department of Science and Technology.

The two herbs work in perfect synergy:  ashitaba removes toxins through the excretory glands while moringa (better known as Malunggay among Pinoys) replenishes the nutrients needed by the body.

Both are good tissue builders. Moringa is referred to as the 'tree of life' because it can combat malnutrition, helps in muscle recovery and prevents immune-system diseases. It's a plant that thrives in tropical climates and grows so quickly and easily in Filipino backyards. The plant's leaves are used the most.  Moringa leaf powder contains more than 90 nutrients, 8 essential amino acids and 46 anti-oxidants. Antioxidants are known for preventing cellular damage.  When the leaves are dried and turned into powder form, its efficacy increases and its shelf life increases. What makes it more appealing as an additive to any food or drink, the dried powder does not change the taste of the food, drink or beverage.

Ashitaba, researched and studied extensively in Japan, commonly called the “longevity herb”,  is a green leafy vegetable that has a rare flavonoid called chalcone that contributes to good metabolism and helps in the production of nerve growth. Older people will love one of its health benefits - -keeping degenerative diseases at bay. Ashitaba contains beta-carotene, has 28 times more vitamin B2 content equivalent than garlic, four times more vitamin C than lemons, and nine times the amount of iron found in spinach.

If you want your immune system and your metabolism working at full throttle first thing in the morning, give this healthy coffee a shot!

Contact PeakLife Inc. (www.peaklifeinc.com) and Empower Marketing (www.empower.com.ph) at 534-6843 and 477-4504. Or visit them at the 2nd floor, Roscar Bldg, 81 EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

The Fashion Academy Manila teams up with Easy Pha-max

Fashion, in general, has always been about anything fabulous. 

How we’d like to be or look like in our clothes, hairstyles, shoes, eyewear, whatever-wear at whatever age we fall in.  

Recently in Makati, two innovative companies redefined fashion when they  inked a one-year partnership that pushes youth, fun and fitness to the very core of what we should all be.

The partnership is between The Fashion Academy Manila and Easy Pha-max Philippines which both agreed that youthful fun, fitness and being utterly sexy truly represent “Style, Wellness and Happy Brands.” The contract ends in December 2013.

Is this something like an in-your-face thing?  Not really, but it’s meant to grow into something livable and acceptable for everyone, said digital marketing specialist Eric Yam, who’s just been tasked to head the marketing department of Easy Pha-max Philippines. 

This is the first time that the country’s wheatgrass leader will use an institution as a Brand Ambassador, one that's hooked-up with one of the world's best-recognized brands in modeling and glamour.

“We’re happy that The Fashion Academy Manila has joined our stable of respected Brand Ambassadors and Brand Advocates,” Yam said. Company endorsers include fitness buff and sports broadcaster Dyan Castillejo, cosplay icons Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao, Lucky Manzano and Jocelyn Oxlade. 

“The Fashion Academy Manila (TFAM) is affiliated with an international franchise modelling agency Elite Model Management Manila that has produced the world’s top professional models like Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, among many. Easy Pha-max is about healthy living and transforming lives for the young and old. Our new partnership celebrates fresh and fun lifestyle. It's about people - not just about one person – wanting to be physically fit, sexy and feeling young. The best way to spread this message is through these models who have the qualities that every one wants to have,” he continued. 
 
TFAM director of sales Cindy Arguelles - Lichauco and Elite Model Management Manila managing director Eughie Teng see their endorsement of wheatgrass and healthy living as very much in keeping with the school’s commitment to find a work-life balance for their models while helping them carve successful modelling careers.

The school's goal is simple. Make their family of young, ambition-driven modelling talents embrace glamour, fun and wellness in equal measures.

The Midas touch is promising for both of them, and 2012 isn't over yet.
 

About The Fashion Academy Manila (www.thefashionacademymanila.com)
TFAM is the first fashion school to offer a holistic and integrative approach to teaching in seven fashion tracks: Photography Academy, Modelling Academy, Makeup Academy, Hair Creatives Academy, Fashion Styling Academy, Personality Enhancement Academy, Celebrity Artist Lab. Trainors and mentors are among the top names in the local fashion industry - Joey Mead, Borge Aloba, Lee Figueroa-Roberto, Ian Dave Basa, J. Dennis Arceo, Niko Villegas, Alcs Porras, Binibining Pilipinas 2002 Karen Agustin-Ostrea and Xander Angeles.

TFAM is located at 3F A.Venue Mall, 5343 Makati Avenue, Makati City Philippines. They can be contacted at (632) 9097400/ 940-9312, 0917- 872-7875 / 0917-536-5483. 
FB: http://www.facebook.com/thefashionacademymanila

The grass is greener in PH for Kitty Girl

She’s very pretty, one of the lovable faces in PH showbiz. Her Brit accent makes her even more appealing to her fans.

Many describe her as a dead ringer for Megan Fox and at certain angles, of Jessie J. 

So, what keeps former Kitty Girl lead singer Jocelyn Rose Oxlade busy and peppy these days?

Wil Time Big Time

This 24 year-old half Pinay, half-Brit hip hop singer is seen every Saturday singing and dancing on TV-5's Wil Time Big Time. She's also collaborating with some producers on her solo projects, including a solo album tentatively called Living Doll expected to be released in December this year.

Pretty soon, most likely in October, we’ll see her as Anne Curtis’ sosyalera and fashionista friend in Viva Film’s “Nothing Compares to You”.  The movie also stars another Brit-Pinoy, Derek Ramsey.

Owing to her unpredictable and frequent out-of-town engagements, she often wakes up at 5 a.m.  At other times, she only gets to sleep at sunrise. She admitted she's not used to smoky places, the late nights, the frenzied schedule of rehearsals and hosting gigs.

Impeccable hosting

"Anything I can do to benefit my health and the condition of my body, I’m game. I read on the Internet that drinking wheatgrass can increase your energy and stamina. I would see the Easy Pha-max wheatgrass kiosks in the malls making me all the more curious about it. I chose it because it’s a trusted one … with Super Brand recognition and other awards. I’ve been hooked on this green juice for over a year now,” she said.

Following dietitians’ advice, she drinks wheatgrass first thing in the morning for that immediate energy burst.

 

“The first time I drank it, I was expecting to at least catch a cold but the wheatgrass kept my energy up. I felt it also helped my voice stay in good condition. I like the honey-flavored one, it's not overly sweet. After drinking it, I feel refreshed and energized,” she cooed.

The best way to absorb its nutrients is when it’s taken on an empty stomach because it’s the only food that the colon is digesting at that time. Taking wheatgrass with a meal would interfere in the efficient absorption of its nutrients.

Born and raised in England, this Kitty Girl moved to the Philippines in 2005 after finishing her A-levels in Psychology, Biology and Chemistry. She wanted to know more about her mom’s Filipino heritage.

The close-knit Oxlades

Seven years later, Jocelyn has found her heart and fulfillment in the Philippines. And robust health. 

LBC's Super Baba Remittance, another win for Pinoy wage-earners

Planning to send money to your parents in the province?

Consider then "Super Baba Remittance" by LBC Express Inc., the Philippines' pioneer in money remittance.

Filipino wage-earners who regularly send money to their loved ones anywhere in the Philippines will now only pay pay P3.00 for every P100, as long as they use the Send and Swipe Card, powered by Visa and LBC Mobile Remit of LBC Remit Express.

EVP for Global Remittance Janet T. Ong described their 'Super Baba' campaign as the company's continuing efforts to make money transfers both affordable and convenient for all Filipinos.

Super Baba Remittance is not a promo, the executive clarified. The P3 for every P100 will be a regular service.

The Send and Swipe card can be used in any of the more than 9,500 Visa ATMs nationwide. Money can be also transferred and received using LBC Mobile Remit which will favor Filipinos who are known globally for being so text-savvy.

Founded in 1950 and tagged as the country's "Pambansang Padala", LBC Express is a global Filipino company with more than 1,000 branches nationwide and over 300 cash-in locations all over the world to service to service the needs of Filipino migrant workers and their loved ones in the country.

Visit www.lbcexpress.com for more info.

Pole dance your way to fitness & good abs

Kittens. Tigers. That’s how students at Polecats - the country's premier pole dancing group - are called.  

Last June 2 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo (Quezon City), the Polecats Kittens and Tigers proudly showed their command of pole dancing and their sensuality while spinning around dance poles. 


They were performing at their recital billed Stellar 2.

Like their namesakes, the Polecats moved with strength, agility and stealth-like speed as they crawled up and down the dance poles and spun around like crazy.

These are the good and sexy results of attending at least eight weeks of classes, learning pole dancing moves like floorwork, grabs, holds, hooks, spins, ankle and feet climbs, slides, transitions.


The nimble moves become inevitable for many and especially for the young.

The not-so-young can do it as long as they don't let go of their aspirations for physical fitness or revive their sex appeal.



Stellar 2 was Polecats' second successive year of putting the spotlight on their students who rose to the challenge of  "pushing their limits beyond boundaries.” 

Perfect ballet split by Stellar 2 project head Mara Andres

It was about feeling healthy and being proud about themselves. Also hot and sexy (according to this blogger)!

(foreground, standing, center) Polecats founder Christina Dy

 

Stellar 2 performers - beginners, intermediate, professionals

 

A Polecats dance instructor, Margaret Jade Chua Lao

Polecats is located at Strata 100, F. Ortigas Jr. St. in the Ortigas central business district.

Active living is the normal life to Dyan Castillejo

Multi-awarded TV sports host Dyan Castillejo is always on the go, this she admitted to 15 mom-bloggers in an open forum on healthy living held over the weekend and arranged by veggiecircle blogger who advocates healthy lifestyle practices.

Accompanied by her 9-year old son Matthew Garcia, Dyan met with the women bloggers with whom she shared tips on how to raise healthy children by feeding them healthy food and drinks and guiding them on active living.

“I didn’t know how to grow up but healthy because my parents reared me into it. My life is super regimented,” she said. Since her teen years, as soon as she woke up, she was always doing something, even when going out on dates.  She recalled that she would meet her then boyfriend (now her husband) while jogging and playing tennis. He lost 25 lbs. in their first three months of dating, Dyan said.

Describing her life as super-regimented, Dyan chafes at the thought of not doing anything because that is wasting time. When she's not covering sporting and adventure events, family bonding - more often, is marked by physical activities with her son and husband. “We bike, we exercise together. We go to church together. We have fun together,” she said.

It isn’t any wonder that her son is also into multiple activities - - football, tennis, student council, church choir. “I love what I’m doing. My mom asks me if I like to do something and if I do, she tells me to go for it,” Matthew piped in.

 Matthew (left) likes football because it's a team sports.
He endorses Whea-gee Chewables which combines the wonders of
wheatgrass and the benefits of colostrum in a chewable tablet form.

To keep up his energy, he takes Whea-gee Chewables which is good for boosting children’s immune system and cleansing their digestive tract.  He has been taking  it for the last four years and hardly gets sick, he confessed.

Active living being high on her agenda, Dyan carries seven bags in her car - - workout bag, liquid bag, for books, for cold and warm food. The liquid bag is for her Easy Pha-max wheatgrass powder drinks which she takes 10 times a day. “It’s the first drink I take upon waking up. When I drink wheatgrass, I know I feel well,” she said. 

Dyan’s parting words for the mom bloggers, “Whatever you grew up with, that becomes the normal thing.  Exposing your kids to the sporting lifestyle nurtures their team spirit and camaraderie.”

  Dyan (standing) is the Brand Ambassador for Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass.

She co-hosts "Sports Unlimited" with Marc Nelson, aired Saturdays on ABS-CBN.

Big summer volume discounts on wheatgrass products

It's summer. You want to earn extra money and conquer the heat at the same time.

If you consume in large quantities health supplements whose basic component is the alkaline-rich wheatgrass, or you know lots of people who buy health products, then here's good summer news for you.

The Bulk Discount Package by Easy Pha-max Philippines for regular wheatgrass buyers took effect last March 1 and it offers specific discounts for minimum purchases starting from P5,000 to P50,000. The discounts are computed from the SRP (suggested retail price).

 

The volume discounts are perfect for customers who buy for family/personal consumption or intend to start a health store business this summer, because in the end they buy at lower prices the Easy Pha-max products known for their premium quality, said company vice president Grace dela Rosa.

The minimum purchase required is P5,000 where the buyer gets a 15 percent discount for products of their choice. 

The markdowns are specific to their corresponding purchase requirements: 20 percent off  - P10,000 to P24,999; 25 percent off  - P25,000 to P49,000; 30 percent off -  P50,000 and above.

Grace clarified that consumers can avail themselves of the Bulk Discount Package only when they buy direct from the Easy Pha-max office or from its accredited distributors called Global Bio-Herbal Entrepreneurs. Consumers can also order online at www.wheatgrasscan.com.

Get more information about the discounts and the products by calling the consumer hotline 890-1111. Those living outside Metro Manila can call toll-free 1-800-10-8901111.

Wheatgrass rocks to this radio DJ

DJ George of pop/R&B station Wave 891(FM) shuns dependence on anything that doesn’t work.  Like medicines, even if prescribed.
  
In June 2011, the 38-year old radio DJ/voice talent/events host thought she was near death when she felt chest pains, couldn’t breathe and belched so bad.
 
Based on lab tests and images from a camera inserted down her throat, she was told she was suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Her ENT doctor prescribed a medicine which DJ George described as a proton inhibitor. (GERD is a condition in which food or liquid comes up from the stomach into the esophagus and can cause heartburn, nausea, chest pain and other symptoms.)
 

DJ George of WAVE 891 (FM), live on air Mondays to Thursdays 5pm-8pm and Fridays from 5am-8am.

“For three months, I was taking this expensive tablet but I didn’t feel any improvement in my throat,” she recalled.  “My stomach acids may have been addressed, yet I still felt a lump in my throat which was uncomfortable.” She spent those months sleeping in a semi-reclined position to avoid acid backing up into her throat that would cause the swelling. She was disappointed that her medicine didn’t address the problem of swelling. It only addressed the stomach acids by inhibiting their production.

A singer-friend (from an all-girl sing-and-dance group) suffering from hyperacidity told DJ George to try Easy Pha-max wheatgrass whose bus ads DJ George had already noticed before.There are other wheatgrass variants but DJ’s friend swore this particular one “really works.”

A week after drinking wheatgrass, DJ George felt a bit better.  That “something” in her throat, she said, lessened in size and she didn’t feel uncomfortable as much anymore unlike before when she wasn’t taking the natural health supplement.

 

This makes sense to me now. Because wheatgrass is alkaline, it tapers the acid and coats the esophagus down to the stomach with alkaline, thus addressing the lump problem in my throat.  

When I first drank Easy Pha-max wheatgrass (with honey), its smell reminded me of green tea.  I also drink Easy Pha-max wheatgrass pure but because I have a sweet tooth, I frequently drink the honey-flavored one,” she said.
 
DJ George continues to drink wheatgrass, twice daily, upon waking up and before sleeping.  

“Wheatgrass works!” she affirmed. She now sleeps flat on her back.

100% Filipino-made 10-in-Coffee especially made for Pinoys

For most Filipinos, breakfast will not be complete without a cup of  piping hot coffee. There are even others who can survive until lunch time by just drinking coffee--- brewed or instant.

Now comes a unique coffee experience for Filipinos. Moreishi 10-in-1 coffee is not your ordinary instant coffee because it combines coffee, non-dairy creamer, fructose, and seven premium herbs in one sachet.


Coffee lovers will surely love it because of its engaging taste and the health benefits that they can get from every cup they drink.

It’s the only BFAD-approved coffee in the market that uses seven of the 10 herbs recognized by the Department of Health as “medicinal plants.” Frequent drinking of Moreshi-10-in-1 Coffee improves one’s over-all health condition as it boosts the immune system to prevent diseases such as asthma, kidney stones, high blood pressure, rheumatism and even goiter.

Ginger enhances one’s respiratory system and kills TB germs while ginseng is a good antioxidant and promotes stamina. Reishi or red mushroom strengthens the immune system, lowers blood cholesterol and helps cleanse the body. Aside from its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties, turmeric (luyang dilaw) prevents eye cataracts.

Sambong, a natural diuretic, regulates fluid retention of the body and helps treat kidney stones. Kelp (seaweed) which is rich in iodine prevents goiter and even hair loss. It also promotes healthy fingernails. Lastly, the herb gotu kola which promotes skin elasticity is a brain tonic herb which improves mental focus and memory.

Moreishi-10-in-1 coffee is exclusively distributed by Empower Marketing Inc. (http://www.empower.com.ph), a 100 percent Filipino-owned company that advocates wellness using products made from indigenous plants.

The instant coffee was formulated by Filipino scientists and registered doctors from medicinal plants approved by the Department of Health as having been tested and clinically proven for their medicinal value.

Learn more about Moreishi 10-in-1 coffee and other Empower Marketing health products by visiting their website or calling them at 534-6702 to 04.

Want to see how your ‘live’ blood behaves?

CBC. Live blood analysis. They have become compulsory especially among job applicants. After all, the companies hiring them want to be assured they have a generally healthy workforce.

This September,  in various areas in Baguio City, a team of young brand ambassadors and registered nurses will show Baguio folks the first step to finding out if they are healthy or unwell through live blood analysis tests, or LBA for short.

The Easy Pha-max team will be at the Baguio Country Club (Sept. 1 to 3, 10am – 7pm) and at Aegis People Support (Sept. 2, 8pm onwards) to give free LBA to the young workforce and local residents and introduce  the company’s product line of healthy food supplements.

LBA is a health check that alerts anyone of potential disorders that could harm the person’s health in the long run if left untreated.

But then how can you have a condition treated if you don’t know you have it?

Blood determines a person’s health condition. A healthy blood maintains a pH  range of 7.35 – 7.45.  Beyond  that, our bodies become weaker because the body works doubly hard to bring the pH level back to normal. A pH level less than 7.35 also makes the body more prone to diseases. Unhealthy blood, which is caused by chemicals, poor diet, and stress,  lead to a more serious health condition.

Our blood carries important nutrients to the cells in the body for it to function properly. It helps eliminate wastes in the body by moving them to the kidney and liver.

The most common blood test is the Complete Blood Count (CBC). The problem with this test is that the blood cells extracted from the body die after 30 minutes, therefore the blood cells being analyzed in the lab are already dead.  It’s hard  to determine if the red and white blood cells  were performing their duties while inside the body.

Because of this, another blood test – the LBA -  is getting attention.

What is LBA?
Unlike the conventional blood test, LBA uses fresh blood making it easier to determine the blood’s behavior inside the body.  The live blood is examined under a microscope that is connected to a computer enabling patients to watch on a video monitor their blood moving around, while a medical professional or a trained nutritional microscopist is analyzing and explaining. You see exactly how your blood behaves inside your body. 

Does your blood move around  or does it stay rooted in one spot? Get yourself LBA'd by Easy Pha-max Phils. when it holds on-ground health activities in malls and BPOs. That way, you're on top of your health.

LBA test results shows the activity of red blood cells, the presence of bacteria or free radicals in the body, malabsorption of fats, presence of heavy metals in the body (i.e., mercury),  nutrient deficiencies  and toxicity in the body which cause certain diseases.

The LBA isn’t considered diagnostic. It gives an early warning of potential abnormal conditions like diabetes, heart attack, arthritis.

Anyone having the LBA test can,  on the spot,  learn from the attending medical personnel the proper health regime or get a medical referral.

To know more, call +632 890-1111 and speak to registered nurses and dietitians.

See you in Baguio!

Makati Sports Club's 1st open tennis tourney

The Makati Sports Club launched last July 29 the 1st MSC Men's and Ladies' Open Tennis Tournament 2011 where 140 professional tennis players from all over the country have signed up to compete. 

This is the first time in its history that the Makati Sports Club has organized a sporting event for the country's professional tennis players and top collegiate players.    

“We are holding this tournament to promote the sport in the country,” MSC Comptroller Ron Limbo said during the opening.  Also, the recent short-lived stint of 18-year old netter Jeson Patrombon at the Wimbledon Junior Boys’ Singles Tournament motivated the club to run the tournament to prepare younger players to the rigors of local and international competitions.

 

Major sponsor is Easy Pha-max Phils. Inc. (EPPI), the country's leading distributor of  wheatgrass-based health products carrying their brand name in different forms - powder, tablets and ready-to-drink in cans.  Other sponsors include Firefly Lighting and tennis racquet maker Babolat.

The official tournament began August 1 and the championship games for the men and females divisions are scheduled on August 7.

The grand winner for the mens’ division will walk away with PhP22,000 while the champion in the female category will take home PhP10,000 cash. Cash prizes will be given to runner-up players and those who will reach round of 16, round of 8, quarterfinals, and semi-finals. Total consolation prizes at stake amount to Php 68,000. 

Expected to reach the finals in the male division include top-seeded players Johnny Arcilla, Elbert Anasta, PJ Tiemo, and Rolando Ruel Jr.  while the Patrimonio sisters Anna Christine and Anna Clarice, Marian Jade Capadocia, and Aileen Rogan are widely considered in the female division.

    

EPPI chair and CEO Edward Ling said the company's sponsorship abides by their advocacy for healthy lifestyles. In a brief interview, he said "We are strongly pushing for preventive healthcare. In every way we can, we encourage everyone to shift to a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods and increasing their physical activities like this one, playing tennis."

Limbo said the club has been been serving wheatgrass at its restaurant and dining rooms for some time now.