THE TEACHER

She begins her class with a warm smile and cools it down with a passage from the Bible. For Hedy Lopez, exercise is not just one or two hours of your day to get that flab out of the way, it is a lifestyle. And it’s not just about having a body to die for; it’s also about having a drop dead gorgeous spirit. She says, “The body is God’s gift.” And it comes with a matching soul that also needs a work out.

(A Short Dissertation by a Chocoholic or “What the heck, I need my chocolate fix so I’m justifying it!”)
Chocolate is made from the seed of the tropical cacao tree – scientific name: Theobroma Cacao. Theobroma means “food of the Gods” in Greek (can the gods be wrong that chocolate is good for the body?).

Several studies have revealed the health benefits of chocolate:

Everyday we’re caught in the Sturm und Drang of life and seldom find the time to pause and think. We have perfected the art of multi-tasking and fully-booked from morning till night.

So how does one find the space and time to quiet the mind?

Right after I arrived from the US, I learned that The Philippine College for Advancement in Medecine (PCAM) will have its annual conference the following week.

Prior to my US trip I attended the Annual Wellness Summit in Sofitel (formerly Westin Hotel) organized by Spa Asia magazine, an international event but I never learned as much in the field of wellness as my two week seminar and workshop organized locally.

Many presentations proved an eye-opener such as the following:

By Anna Urquiola-Green
When I was invited to write an article about a Filipina’s life in the UK I jumped at the opportunity. Mainly because I want to share the experiences I had in this country and quite a lot of these were eye-openers for me.

Moving here three years ago, I learned to adapt quickly especially with the climate. My family and I spent the previous 10 years in the Middle East and from a place where there is only one season - summer, and here in England when they have 4 seasons, it is a total shock to the system.

Picture this scene: a woman sits in the visitor’s chair in an office pouring her heart out to the lady behind the desk. Her life story unfolds and there is a drizzle of tears. The listener nods sympathetically and after understanding the cause of her heartache, comforts her and gives her some sound advice. The client leaves with a lighter heart and words of wisdom that can hopefully turn her life around. You probably think the scene happened in a psychiatrist’s clinic or at a radio station during a “Dear Abby” type program.

A heavenly mix of things that make life worth savoring – sweet memories, toughening experiences, crisp humor and dollops of daily miracles all mixed together in a thick cream of faith in the wisdom of God.

TODAY'S TIDBIT:

“He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him.” – Mark 1:27

It is much more difficult to prove yourself to an expectant audience who also happen to be your parents. Also, it can get exasperating that your home environment is the same as that in your office: no issue can be closed and deferred to the next day once the clock hits 5 o’clock and all other previous engagements have to be forgone for work. But these are petty inconveniences that are paid off by the advantages and the privilege of handling your family’s business.

Around three hours from Manila is Quezon, my home province. Since it’s just a short hop away, I can easily go home for business or to be with family on special occasions. Last week-end, I did just that – wrapped up some business matters and attended my cousin’s birthday bash.
This homecoming was a little different. I wanted to bring my Ka-Pinays on a virtual tour of Quezon. For the first time I will be seeing Quezon through your eyes. So come on and let’s go cruising in Quezon.

By: Myrna Salanguit
You may be asking the difference between saving money and investing money. Saving is putting money aside for a projected expense – to pay for a child’s college education, for a rainy day, or for a down payment on a house or car. Or probably you want to be sure you have six months’ wages saved in case of a dire emergency.

By: Caren Resurreccion
Nowadays, women are starting their own business at twice the rate men do. It has been reported that everyday, 420 women go out and start their own businesses and most of them are growing revenues, profits and creating more jobs than the businesses itself. But being a woman entrepreneur is a challenge on its own - the assertion of identity and proposal of stability underlying a character of fragile sensibility - present issues that are thankfully less divisive now that it may have been in the latter years.

SECOND STOP: Palaisdaan, Tayabas
Hungry from the trip, we stop at Palaisdaan for lunch. This is locatedbetween Lucban and the town proper of Tayabas. The restaurant serves native cuisine with the special touch of Quezon, the gata (coconut milksauce), in some of its popular dishes.

We enter the restaurant through an arch where a veil of pink-tasseled vines cascade down to almost eye-level.

Nature has imbued its creatures with instinct and the ability to survive. Being the only creature that has free will and the freedom to make mistakes, man can learn a thing or two from these lower forms of life. The ant and the bee, for instance, are good models in learning about financial literacy.

TODAY'S TIDBIT:
“People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” – Matthew 9:17

By: Mica Kerkdijk

Mommy used to tell us all the time that her dream was to have our home run like a hotel. Well, that's been fulfilled, somewhat, in my home, but that's because I feel like I'm the @#^*& chambermaid!

By: Rissa Calica-Gimenez

One of the ancient home remedies for balancing high blood sugar or diabetes is just as close and down-to-earth as your garden.

The neem leaf, one of our country’s wonder plants, is a popular Philippine medicinal plant known for its countless cures, most specially for wild, insulin swings!

Diabetes or hyperglaecemia is a condition when one’s body is unable to cope with the sugar overload in the system. The neem’s potent extract is extremely bitter and counters the sugar offenders in the body.

TODAY'S TIDBIT:
“Her children arise and call her blessed…” – Proverbs 31:28

Being a mother can be a thankless job. Most days I don’t know if what I do for my kids is appreciated. Or if it makes a difference in the way they are growing up. I take heart in the story of Tita Mely, a senior member of our community.

By: Becca de la Vega
Since arriving in New Zealand in May 2007, we have experienced two autumns and survived two winters. Soon, it will be the blooming of spring flowers. And then, come December, the damaging sun of summer will he here again.

By: Becca de la Vega

We live in historic Howick, Auckland. This scenic seaside village is a top tourist destination known for its landscape and ancient charm. It is in this community where we have begun to grow new roots.

It is here where our children go to the local primary school. We chose this because it’s a Catholic school under the Diocese of Auckland and it’s just walking distance from our new home.

Are you a Maria Clara? A Gabriela Silang? Or a Cory Aquino? Like all women, Filipinas do come in all shapes and sizes. But what sets us apart is our character – unique, distinct, feisty, yet caring to the max. Find out what type of a Filipina you are and have fun!

You’re a Maria Clara if you…