Fit and Well with Fit n' Right program

though it's Christmas season and a lot of parties and food come along the way, i have been thinking to getting in shape.

my lifestyle has included big feasts, relaxations that only show results on the outside. but what about the inside? there might be a lot of toxins inside of my thin body and i really wanted to gain weight with those nice calves, biceps and shoulders. i also try to get a balanced diet. i really love food.

besides, i don't have really much time for workout. my everyday routine just includes home and office just sitting and slaving in front of a monitor or TV. munching on my favorite snack and having a sip of juice or water.

then i realized that i have been storing a lot of energy inside my body that are never used. instead they transform to being the most hated part of anyone's body: the belly.

i hate my belly, it's not so big yet but i already want to get rid of it. i have tried weight-management products and none of them really worked. and signing up to the gym has costed me much. i also tried workout videos but my passion and efforts to have that rock hard abs doesn't seem to be successful. my number one enemy, idleness. honestly, when i started to sweat, i stop. seldom comes to my mind when i wanted to jog, do push-ups, crunches or even lifts. never tried to measure to see any accomplishments.

but experts say that that kind of exercising isn't enough. you need to assist it with proper food intake and also aiding it with Del Monte Fit n' Right. last October 23 at Taste Asia in SM Mall of Asia, a special bloggers event was hosted by Del Monte Fit n' Right in partnership with Fitness First to inform us about the benefits of working out and drinking Fit n' Right.

Fit n' Right contains L-Carnitine that helps in washing away bad cholesterol in the body. with a tired body from working out, you can enjoy the refreshing flavors of Fit n' Right:

and going back to the bloggers event, PBA Coach Jim Saret has shared easy-to-do exercises without leaving home. and i tell you, it concentrates on the body parts that will make you really feel sexy. push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, jogs in place with resistance -- all to be done 10 reps everyday to achieve better shape.

and in culmination of the Dare to Be Fit program of Fit n' Right, for all of you health and fun buffs, there will be a fun run scheduled on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia. of course sponsored by Del Monte Fit n' Right. see the attached picture below for details:

for those interested to join, you may proceed to these venues:

• CEMG Office – Unit 3A Vernida I Bldg., Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City/ Look for Marianne Tapales (892.5842/09155498282)
• Dare to be Fit ‘n Right booths in Bonifacio High Street, Taguig and in selected SM Hypermarkets: Mall of Asia, Sucat, Pasig, and North EDSA
• Fitness First branches on November 16, 2009.

this will be an exciting and helpful activity of Del Monte Fit n' Right with Fitness First for it not only promotes good living but the proceeds will go to the victims of the storms Ondoy and Pepeng. you help, you live better.

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let's run for Pasig River!

being an environment lover myself, i really haven't done any, honestly, for the planet. i have been a contributor to the smoke emissions by riding the PUVs, haven't been a responsible citizen by throwing small pieces of trash anywhere. but then, with the effects of global warming and other calamities done by nature, i have now myself been aware of the consequences of not being concerned to mother nature. i have witnessed firsthand the effects on Ondoy and now i'm scared of any storm that may come to our nation.

but then again, there are big efforts to continue our fight towards a better environment and it focuses on a very prominent Manila natural landmark, the Pasig River. the Pasig River has been declared dead by people after it has been a big garbage dump of course, caused by man. and during the administration of Fidel V. Ramos, the first lady, Ming Ramos has developed the Piso Para sa Pasig program aimed to restore the wonder that has been, Pasig River. and the efforts continue to restore the river for use of future generations.

on Sunday, November 8 2009, a run-for-a-cause has been developed aiming to protect the Pasig River. not only will it help the Pasig River, you can have a cardio exercise and having fun.

we hope that a lot will participate to restore give life again to the river. so that marine life will return, everybody can again breath the fresh air of Pasig River.

this is a fund-raising project so if you want to take part with it, click on the Facebook event page of Pasig River Marathon.

there are discussions over the web on how we can take part other than this marathon. a person once asked: What can college students do to help Pasig River? i commented that everybody can join and participate with the programs regarding saving protecting the Pasig River. but a very simple act like not throwing wastes on the river would be a great help.

we are crying out loud. Save the Pasig River, sign up and run!

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Ohmski day at the slums

i had the chance to experience and take some views in life of the people from the slums. when i was called by campaigns pr and asked if i want to take part in this activity, i wasn't hesitant to join and i was even excited to see the situation. the scene that i see in the movies, came to reality. i never felt scared nor even off-guard for i gained trust these people. but generally, i felt pity for them.

we have travelled the area of Navotas and found the poorest of the poor. the people which are dwelling under the bridge and even the tunnel. unimaginable it may seem, but we still have people living in that situation.

we first went to the people under the bridge. around 70 families live in a community made out of wooden planks and boards. they have electricity in which we don't know how they are supplied and clean water was taken from a deep well source nearby. but unfortunately, they have no land title and garbage swims underneath their houses. maybe if you would try to walk on it, you can. since they are living under the bridge, you can feel the tremors from the vehicles travelling above them.

first we interviewed Nanay Inday Nolla, we learned that they have been staying there for almost a decade. poverty has made them to put themselves into that situation and sometimes they cant do anything to get out. they endure and they have been used to it. their survival has been dependent on little income or sometimes none. little by little, they manage to send one or sometimes two of their children to school. if the circumstances have been to tight, they put themselves to sleep as if nothing happened.

they complain on government. they have been tired of being utilized in rallies, being the last priority and always having the last few pieces of relief. their rights have been taken off from them but they are used to take the opposition's stands. but what can they do? they can only see it as extra income for survival. they don't experience special occasions, holidays or anything festive because most of the times, they live or spent a day for a budget less than a dollar. for most who live the privileged life, it doesn't cost a thing. but that amount has to feed a family with a minimum of 5 children on the average. sometimes there's the extended family.

and that's what we saw also from the family living inside a tunnel. enduring the cold nights in concrete walls, most of the time living with roaches and rats. without clean water, neither clothes. sadly, sickness has stricken one of Mang Jo's kids. we have learn from the father of the family that there should have been 6 kids but one died because of diarrhea. and Mang Jo only gets his income from collecting and selling old bottles as he travels around with only a cart. as most of them, just taking the nap to escape from hunger.

despite all this problems, each of their kids has managed to cope up with a normal kid's life. they are able to play, go to school especially Nanay Inday's and Nanay Delma Melado's children. they attend Sunday school which, in a very positive way, learn some gifts from the Bible and cathechism. Totoy for example, Nanay Inday's son, learned to be positive in life with praising the Lord.

this dreadful situation has left me thinking. i have been way too far privileged from these people and i complain big time! i have been able to study, get a decent job, and enjoy other luxury but these people almost had nothing.

we all have to address these problems the right way. personally i want to help them as much as i can. if only those who are more privileged than i am are aware of the situation, please help them put themselves up from poverty with the rights that they have been deprived.

but this doesn't work one way. my advise to these people that there's a way to everything. one thing that i discovered that they almost had livelihood. export quality goods have been made but their enemy is being idle. let's get industrious and you'll be able to reach everything.

for the government, give priority to these people. don't use them for your personal gain. prove us wrong on our impression towards you. keep your promises for everyone. make and implement laws properly.

to monitor all these problems, the United Nations has developed a program with 8 points to consider to address these problems. but on our current state, we only have achieved 4 of it. and we are trying to target 7 of the goals by 2015. in order to achieve these goals, let us start in ourselves by gonging on the government's heads reminding them that we are inside a program that really should be addressed. then our government will be demanded on the special actions and priority towards these problems caused by poverty. i hope that we all take part in this. you don't want to get poor right?

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Flow dances the stage

thanks to Audrey and Monique for bringing me and 3 friends at a run of Flow -- a dance extravaganza with world-class acrobatics all in one stage of the PAGCOR theater. this replaces Wanders which is equally great. they invited us to somehow move on from the traumatic experience with the recent storms and i am really thankful
to them.

this has started on March 2009 and showcases different dance routines: from tribal, ballet, jazz, hiphop, ballroom with matching fabulous costumes and great music directed by Mel Villena. the songs were sang by great artists like OJ Mariano, Carla Guevarra and Pinky Marquez. Maneuvers, Whiplash and Hotlegs also took part in the production with great dance moves and stunts.

i really enjoyed it as much as i enjoyed Wanders. entertainment and breath-taking stunts from the acrobats will only put out one word in your mouth: WOW!

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Eastwood City's annual Pet Blessing

it is always celebrated on October the feastday of St. Francis of Assisi. he is known to be the lover of all creation, champion of justice, and patron saint of animals and the environment. and Eastwood City has dedicated to extend the love for the environment and animals with the annual Pet Blessing for our furry friends.

too bad i wasn't able to bring my loyal pet dog, Lebron at the ceremony but i was able to take his picture there. furry and cute dogs have crowded at the Eastwood Mall open park and attended the mass celebrated by the priests also by the same order of St. Francis. even some of the dogs have cute clothes.

my pet Lebron
the mass was followed by a short program with The Company and UP Madrigal Singer Alumni. a pet bazaar also happens at the Eastwood Central Park. luckily, i have brought home some goodies for my pet courtesy of Nature's Plan and Pet One.

i was able to interview professional photographer Jay Javier who owns Hari, a Siamese cat. he named it as so because it means King of the Tigers from the Thai dialect. (correct me if i'm wrong) as we have all known, cats hate water. but Jay has trained Hari to take a bath. and now he is accustomed to do it twice or thrice a week. Hari has really good and soft fur. and for Jay, he likes to own cats than dogs because they are so much tamed unlike dogs who wag their tails and always try to get much attention from their humans.

this is Hari

other photos can be found here

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The Day that has been Etched on my Mind

i never have thought that this will happen to me.

i just thought that September 26 will be a regular rainy day but it has brought floods that had swept towns. the biggest destruction of nature i have seen in my life.

rain hasn't stopped or lessened since friday. after seeing a movie, i had a hard time going home. but it didn't cross my mind or got scared of the effects on the next day. i got up around noon and was so surprised that the waters have already entered inside our house. a little bit lazy though to move around, the people at home were already putting up the things higher as the brown water rises. until it came to a point that we stand on our beds but the water still goes higher.

we couldn't do anything more when the water went waste-deep inside the house. we really have to get out of the house as we see some of our things, even heavy ones, float on water right in front of us. we have taken safety precautions as everybody switched off their fuse boxes to halt all electrical connections and keep everyone safe. mama almost didn't want to go and keep a look on all the things. finally we convinced her to start packing up and we transferred to a neighbor who has a second floor.

we bagged clothes for three days. of course, we see to it that we have our phones safe for communication is essential. we are constantly in contact with my sister who lives in upper cainta. thankfully, everyone is welcome inside their house seeing to it that everyone will be safe. sadly, we left our dog at home and i feel very sorry for it. i know that he can swim but he has been loyal to us eversince. we managed to put him at our nipa hut but still the worries for a life, even for a dog, is still disturbing my mind.

when we got into the neighbor's house, i immediately washed myself and took a bath to prevent getting diseases from the flood.

we tried to keep alert overnight checking on the height of the water for the rain hasn't stopped until before midnight. i had the biggest scare i ever had in my life. i prayed 3 rounds of the rosary and keeping the faith that that situation won't last long.

by 10AM next day, we are already came home. our house was a big mess. mud and a huge pile of garbage was all around. texted my boss that i cannot go to work for a week because of the big damage and a lot of cleaning and repairing to do. thankfully they allowed me. sister and brother-in-law went with food and other important things to keep ourselves warm on the next nights.

here's what we did when the flood subsided:

1. first we managed to clean even one bathroom and bedroom. it's hard to sleep at night if you cannot stretch your body to sleep.
2. we're also thankful that our appliances still work after 3 days of washing it with water and air-drying it. too bad manuals were also soaked up in dirt.
3. all clothings were put out and began washing them non-stop. for the first days, we handwashed them and scrubbed the mud off. 2 to 3 times we soaked them in water with detergent.
4. we're so tired of eating canned goods for that week, but what can we do? still thanks to the food that came. amen! better have anything than nothing.

with all the losses after Ondoy (Ketsana), here's what I've realized:

1. better to know that everyone you know is safe in times like this.
2. always keep communication lines open.
3. Tide is better than any detergent. (I hope TIDE will pay me for this. LOL), match it with Downy Antibac so that there will be no mosquitoes.
4. experiment cooking with your resources.
5. save your photos.

there are lots of stories after the storm and sometimes you might also believe myths:
week before Ondoy, there is an old woman who came door-to-door with people at the Provident Village in Marikina, which was greatly damaged by Ondoy, she asked for drinking water and no one offer her anything. after that, she calmly said, don't worry, i'll give you lots and lots of water. Ondoy tragedy happened.

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THIS IS IT tickets now ON SALE!

day by day i am counting down the days to Christmas and the showing of Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT concert documentary. this will only be shown for 2 weeks starting Oct 28 2009. with so little time that this will be on theaters, i have checked the cinemas how much the tickets cost. at SM Marikina, this only costs Php 140 per head. for a very special screening, this don't cost much.

THIS IS IT is a documentary of Michael Jackson's final series of concerts before he died on July 25 2009.

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