Back when I was a single mom, having healthy, disease-free kids was on top of my prayer list.I believed that anybody sick in the family would bring me grief. Talk about the trouble of having sleepless nights, being absent from work and school, not to mention the high price of medicine these days.
Thankfully, my kids have grown up to be healthy, with no hospitalization or prolonged illness on record. Blame it on luck, good genes and other things. But I really attribute it to being proactive, rather than being reactive, to matters of health and wellness. Being healthy is something you never really leave to chance. It’s something we have to practice everyday through such things as diet and lifestyle choices. It’s always been my dictum that good health is the supreme key to happiness.
Here are some pieces of advice I can give to fellow moms, and especially new moms who are rearing their children into their first years:
The bad news that greeted the nation last Monday affected me so much that I didn’t have the strength to blog about it until now. Still couldn’t believe that something of that horrific magnitude could happen in this day and age, in this supposedly democratic country. I could only manage to write something on my Facebook wall, and my friends joined me in condemning the incident as barbaric and cowardly, indeed. Some couldn’t resist throwing in expletives or two. The general mood was one of anger and indignation, even though most didn’t personally know the people who met their tragic fate.
I am of course referring to the Nazi-style execution of a group of journalists, lawyers and family members who were supposed to file a certificate of candidacy in behalf of aspiring Maguindanao governor Datu Esmail “Toto” Mangudadatu. The suspects are the rival Ampatuan clan who is presently lording it over Maguindanao politics. With the incident, I don’t know whether they will still lord it for long. It was sheer stupidity on their part to do something as brazen, when they know the whole world is watching. They’ve also caused extreme embarrassment to the Arroyo government. Even when their political dalliance with President Arroyo is strong, the public and even international groups as high as the United Nations will hold everyone accountable for what happened.
Even worse is the incident’s implications to the idea of a free press in the country. One of the fatalities was Mindanao reporter Bong Reblando of Manila Bulletin, the newspaper I write for. I’ve met Bong once or twice when I still worked for the newspaper full time. It was kinda surreal conjuring images of someone you met before and then equating it with violence. Media is a small world after all, and the other journalists who talked or dealt with the victims on a regular basis were simply stunned. It appeared that the journalists who went with the convoy were invited precisely because it was thought that they would deter any violent plan from Mangudadatu’s political rival. Turns out even the “Media/Press” badge wasn’t enough to spare them from the tragedy.
After Manny Pacquiao’s victory against Miguel Cotto, another Filipino has won in the world stage. This is in the person of Efren Penaflorida, who was honored by CNN as the 2009 Hero of the Year for the trailblazing work of his Dynamic Teen Company in Cavite to educate young people in slum areas, through the use of a pushcart full of books.
In rites at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Efren was awarded a trophy and $100,000 to continue his work.
Congratulations Efren! This is not only the victory of Efren, but also the victory of the large online community of Filipinos who voted for him. Count in people from other races and nations who also believed in Efren’s cause of education and equality for all. (more…)
Update: Miss Larissa Ramos of Brazil is Miss Earth 2009. Full list of winners here
Miss Earth 2009, an annual pageant where beauty queens from different countries espouse the environmental cause, will hold its pageant and coronation night in the world-famous island of Boracay tonight. There are about 80 of them vying for the prestigious crown of Miss Earth, Miss Earth-Air, Miss Earth-Water and Miss Earth-Fire.
Sources say the Philippine bet, Sandra Inez Seifert, has a strong chance of winning after she was named Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown in the pre-pageant competitions. She was previously disqualified from Binibining Pilipinas because of her sexy photos that appeared in men’s magazines FHM and Maxim. I have to say Miss Seifert is lovely, but the other ladies are equally as stunning.
We were able to take a close look at the Miss Earth 2009 contestants in the Long Gown Competition held at the PAGCOR Grand Theater last week. Some of those who made an impression: Miss Brazil, Miss Spain, Miss Korea, Miss Cuba, Miss Czech Republic, Miss Venezuela and a lot more.
Here are some of the photos I took backstage. Was testing my new toy, the Panasonic Lumix LX3. Results were good, but I felt like I should have used the Canon DSLR and a bazooka lens, since the stage looked so far away
I hate this Manny-Krista-Jinkee thing. It’s even outshadowing Pacman’s historic brutal bruising of the Sydney Olympian Miguel Cotto.Me and my friends and everyone else just can’t help but talk about it.
I still believe the Pacman-Krista affair wouldn’t have been blown out of proportion if only they possessed one thing that celebrity public figures should always be conscious about: discretion.
Pinoys will always love the underdog, and public sympathy appears to be tilted now towards Pacman’s aggrieved wife who’s stood by him through dimes and diamonds, Secosana and Chanel. In fact, the whole situation has given rise to an unofficial group called Team Jinkee.
Coming in a close second to Team Pacquiao, Team Jinkee stands for long-suffering, ‘martyr’ Filipina wives who have to endure the pitfalls of marriage in a macho, male-dominated society like the Philippines.
My friend Penelope says “ the Poveda slash Ateneo- schooled babe must be the bomb to come in between this lovely family…..” (pics courtesy of strictlypinoy)
Some people just couldn’t help but be tickled with the latest rumor in the winning Pacman’s life. His reported love affair and romantic involvement with the aspiring actress named Krista Ranillo.
Beth Celis of the Inquirer, quoting people close to Manny Pacquiao, wrote last Friday, Nov. 13: “Not only does she [Krista] wipe his face and body during workouts, she also feeds him like a baby during mealtimes,” said the well-informed source.”
Not a few people saw the two of them in romantic Baguio City where Pacquiao trained for weeks.
Sources in the sports community now chorus “totoo talaga.” (yes, it’s true)
We can only say: yes it’s true. Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo will be seen together in the forthcoming movie Wapakman, to be shown during the Metro Manila Film Festival 2009
Who is Krista Ranillo and why are people suddenly curious about her?
The tale of the tape is complete after today’s weigh-in of the Philippines’ pride, Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. Am sure everyone’s waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the much-awaited fight. And am sleeping early to catch it at 8 a.m. tomorrow, November 15, Manila time The tale of the tape (pre-fight measurements) show Cotto is taller, younger and heavier, but never underestimate the speed and the power of Pacquiao.
Manny Pacquiao
Age : 30
Weight : 144 lbs.
Height: 5 ft. 6.5 in. (1.69m)
Reach: 67″
49 wins, three losses, two no-contests, 37 KOs (more…)
A few more winks and the greatest Firepower fight on the planet will commence. Here are some quotable quotes gathered from news sources:
Pacquiao on Cotto: I feel stronger at this weight than I ever have. My punches are harder, my speed is intact. I keep getting warned about Cotto’s body attack but Cotto should be worried about my body attack.
Cotto on Pacquaio: I’m prepared for the speed of Manny. My hand speed is pretty equal to Manny’s. But can Manny’s power equal Miguel Cotto’s on Saturday night? I know what I’m capable of doing, and there is no doubt in my mind that I’m going to win this fight.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach: “We’re in great shape for the fight.”
Cotto trainer Joe Santiago: ” Good luck Manny, you’re going to need it.” (more…)
It was a weekend of food events and after our cook-off, it was time to taste the specialties of Manila’s best bakers and cooks. Am glad to have been invited to Our Awesome Planet‘s Ultimate Taste Test 3.0, although kinda sad that I missed the first two. The event was simply teeming with culinary discoveries and food finds! Kudos to our blogger-friend Anton Diaz and his wife Rache for organizing the successful taste test which gathers together Manila’s best and upcoming food suppliers, to be rated by a bunch of discriminating foodies. The proceeds of the event will go to the completion of the St. Michael’s Church in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Tickets were sold for only P150 but we easily had our fill from the food samples of about 30 exhibitors. Am afraid I had to beg off from tasting a few, especially the desserts. Either I didn’t have much of a sweet tooth that day, or it was all simply overwhelming.
This was me holding my stack of paper plates while I was trying to take a picture. One lesson I learned here: never underestimate the bite sizes, for they can add up!
It didn’t help any that the first booth I saw was my favorite Sabroso Lechon. Their lechon sampler was the first one I tasted. There were three lechon booths, but the one from Ulcing’s (Original Lechon Cebu) was the first one to run out. Hmm, I want to try Ulcing’s next time!
Magazine editor Erica Paredes (the daughter of Jim) offered the most innovative dessert: bacon chocolate! I did like it:) You can choose from two varieties: chocolate-covered bacon-bites, or the Piggy Stardust and chocolate lollipops with bacon bits (called Pig Pops). Some people might find a mixture of bacon and chocolates weird, but Erica apparently discovered the treat in New York and now seeks to replicate it here. Happy Bacon (as the brand is called) is a must try and surely will become the most talked-about dessert in town in due time.
I seem to have gotten mixed reactions from my friends about this new product in the market called corned tuna. The purists say it defiles the sacredness of their favorite corned beef. However, it must be noted that local canned tuna manufacturers have long made variations of Filipino dishes – among them tuna afritada, sisig, Bicol Express, adobo, mechado, to name just a few. The fact that they continue to fill up our supermarket shelves attest to the fact that people flock to them like they would feast on a Jollibee hamburger. Especially people who swear by a strict tuna diet to keep slim.
Despite some scientific findings about tuna having high mercury content, tuna remains one of my favorite food. Tuna lumpia, tuna omelet and most recently, the tuna kimchi chigae are just some of the dishes I cook repeatedly at home. During last Saturday’s Century Tuna Bloggers’ Cook-off, it was time to discover again some kick-ass tuna-based dishes. Imagine scanning the table for 20 or so ingredients and being able to decide right there and then what to cook, based on the short time allotted. Modesty aside, the finished product certainly looked and tasted like something close to gourmet!
So here it is, our group’s recipes. We hope Century Tuna will be able to adapt them in their test kitchens in the future (if they haven’t, that is)
Corned Tuna Quesadilla with Tomato-Pear Salsa
Preparation/cooking time: approximately 20 minutes
Put a piece of flour tortilla on a plate. Sprinkle with grated cheese, and then regular corned tuna. You may use the chili variety if you want it more spicy. Add in diced red and green bell peppers, to add more flavor and color. Top with very thinly sliced pear. Cover filling with another tortilla then press down.
Put the sandwich in a heated nonstick pan and toast until slightly brown. Flip to the other side. Cut into wedges before serving. Serve with tomato-pear salsa.
To prepare salsa: Thinly dice tomatoes, pear, red and green pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Add in a little olive oil, then mix.
