Mama’s me time

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
January 31, 2015

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How does a mother of three rambunctious kids unwind? What does a would-be mom, currently devouring everything she can about parenting and being a mom, do to stay pretty and worry-free? Manila Bulletin Lifestyle talks to hot mamas Cheska Garcia-Kramer and Patty Laurel-Filart on their secrets to keeping it together despite their scream-filled, chore-laden, crazy-charged days.

Instagram/chekakramer

THE SUPER MOM

This super mom lets us in on what’s happening over at the Team Kramer camp: a.k.a. homebase for Cheska, Doug, and kids Kendra, Scarlet, and Gavin.

HOW’S YOUR SCHEDULE LIKE?

I have meetings, work here and there. But my priority is my children. My schedule has to work around the schedule of the kids. I take care of them. I make sure that their baon is always hot and I make it a point to fetch them from school, every day.

YOU’RE TURNING 35 BUT YOU DON’T LOOK IT. BESIDES RUNNING AFTER YOUR KIDS, WHAT KEEPS YOU YOUNG?

I drink lots of water. I follow a daily regimen that I’ve been doing ever since I was a teenager. I picked it up from my mom. There are a lot of things that I got from her. Thanks to her, I’ve been carrying Kleenex ever since I started showbiz. I’m so happy Kleenex came up with a new variety. It’s now infused with cucumber.

I’m also not the type of person who puts a lot of makeup. But I sometimes need it for events that I attend. Since I cannot wipe my makeup off immediately, I carry this cold cream that I have been using ever since. Plus, I think it helps that I’m a child at heart. I’m still the old Cheska when I was single. My husband keeps me young, too.

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG THAT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT AND WHY?

I have my tissue with me, especially because I have two girls. My kids are also so unruly, or sometimes they have colds and have “booboos” in their noses. I use facial tissue that’s soft and mild on their skin.

DO YOU STILL HAVE TIME FOR A GETAWAY WITH THE FAMILY? HOW DO YOU UNWIND?

My family relaxes me, believe it or not. So the moment I get home, that’s already unwinding for me like, for instance, staying in bed with my children because they sneak in between Doug and me. That’s my kind of relaxation. I thank the Lord every night when I see that my family is complete. We’re all okay. We’re safe. That’s unwinding for me.

Photo by Katt San Juan for www.pattylaurel.com

THE FIRST-TIME MOM

Patty Laurel has worn many hats: teacher, blogger, traveler, and fashionista.  Now, at 31 and  four months pregnant, the multi-hyphenate is ready to take on her new role.

I know you’ve probably been asked this a million times, but we’d like to know how you’re feeling now that you’re about to become a mom.

I’m really clueless but, I guess, I’m also lucky because it’s a very exciting part of my life, and so my husband and I are just approaching this with eyes open wide. We get really excited over the little things. I guess, by God’s grace, I’ll survive it. Hopefully, I’ll be a good mom. (Laughs)

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR IT? HAVE YOU GOOGLED ANYTHING OR READ ANY BOOKS?

I guess, like any mom, I’m just so excited. You just absorb all the information you get. But more than books or information, what has become so important to me is support system. It’s essential that you have a good support system. I’m lucky that I have it through my mom, sister, sisters-in-law, and my close friends like Rica Peralejo, Cat Juan, Nicole Hernandez delos Angeles, and Kelly Misa.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE YOUR GIRL FRIENDS?

My friends have a WhatsApp group, and we’re like the 2015 batchmates because our kids are all going to be playmates. I guess it’s nice to have a sisterhood. It’s nice to see women supporting other women, especially in this very competitive world. It’s hard to feel alone when you can talk to people who can relate with you.

HOW ABOUT PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS? YOU’RE SLIM!

I love to eat and that’s the happiness of pregnancy—you can eat whatever you like. But at the same time, I have to be mindful of what I’m eating. I try to keep it balanced and I try to eat healthy food as much as I can. In a few weeks, I’ll get the baby bump. But right now, I think yoga helps me to keep calm and in shape. Prior to my pregnancy, I was into Pilates. Blogging is also a good form of therapy for me.

DO YOU HAVE A BEAUTY REGIMEN OR BEAUTY SECRET THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER MOMS?

For beauty secrets, I’d have to give my mom credit. Like any other girl, I love lipsticks and makeup. I mean, I won’t lie. If someone tells me there’s a new foundation, I’d always be curious and would want to try it. But at the end of the day, it’s really your aura. You could put on the most expensive makeup in the world but if you don’t feel good inside, it will also manifest outside. It starts with how you are and your outlook in life.

Why You Should Visit IloIlo

In love with its past

What is culturally and environmentally fertile and yet primed for innovation? Iloilo’s future is so bright you need to wear shades.

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
January 25, 2015

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Iloilo is like Manila—but not quite.

Both are highly urbanized cities, however, Iloilo, unlike Manila, has seamlessly balanced its yesterday and today. It’s old yet always with an element of surprise. There’s a trip down memory lane at its cultural and historical sites downtown. Case in point, its collection of historical houses is still in tiptop shape. Uptown, meanwhile, is a fast rising hip hub. But unlike the Metro, Iloilo isn’t suffocating. It’s not sad. It’s not bad. Everywhere you look, there’s no trash in sight. It appeals urban yet has maintained its provincial, charming appeal. There’s equilibrium between the past and the fad.

Whether you’re itching to participate in Dinagyang fest or planning your holiday trip or why not, your retirement plans, here are reasons why you need to see Iloilo and embrace its beauty.

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  Jaro Cathedral

Iloilo has a 15-km river stretch. But unlike Manila’s rivers and esteros, it’s clean and green. It’s the main natural attraction of the city and one of the four finalists in the International River Prize Awards in 2013. Jog, play, run, eat. Do whatever at the River Esplanade Park, which is designed by architect Paolo Alcazaren, who also designed Singapore’s Clarke Quay.

What to love: The Western Visayas Department of Tourism is planning to include the northern part of the river one of the routes (along with Aklan’s Boracay among others) in its project groomed to be the Cruise Capital of the Philippines.

A public market has been stereotyped as nasty and gross thanks to wet markets and their foul smell. But spare Iloilo. It’s dry. It’s clean. And doesn’t smell. Right smack La Paz public market is the 70-year-old hole-in-the-wall Madge Café. It’s homey and unassuming and can beat any Starbucks or Seattle’s Best any time of the day. Madge Café offers cheap native coffee (R20/cup) and hot choco (R30/cup). Pair it with Iloilo’s famous bischoco (bizcocho in Spanish) or baked bread with butter and sugar for a winning combo or try it with a cup of iconic soups La Paz Batchoy or Molo. A cup of this hot stuff sells for a song, R55 only.

WHAT TO LOVE: Cheap food finds

While Iloilo has no natural tourist spots (besides its river), it has a collection of churches and heritage houses. And these inside jokes will have the loveless visiting the churches in horde. Looking for a girlfriend? Visit Molo Church (or Saint Anne Parish) and pray long and hard to its 16 women saints. But your heart problems aren’t the only reason you should drop by Molo. Its features are breathtaking: a fusion of Gothic and Romanesque architectural designs will have you clicking and sharing and flooding your friends IG feeds. A short drive away from Molo Church is the Jaro Cathedral (or the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles) replete with melted candles in different colors. Churchgoers light candles according to their wishes: yellow for money, blue for good health, orange for happiness, white for family, red for good luck, violet for career, pink for love, and green for hope.

What to love: The churches are well preserved and almost a stone’s throw away from each other.

Iloilo is in love with its glorious past. Eleven buildings are restored in Calle Real, its enduring symbol of culture—it was a  business district during the late Spanish colonial period.  The street is also formally declared as a heritage zone. It is also home to other historical firsts: Hoskyn Compound built in 1877 is the first department store in the country; SM Delgado, which opened in 1979, is the first SM outlet outside Manila; The first Mang Inasal chicken is in Iloilo. Along Jaro meanwhile, dubbed as the “billionaire’s street,” is the vast properties of the Lopezes (the owners of ABS-CBN).

What to love: Calle Real is closed for vehicles every Sunday from 3-9p.m. for arts and culture performances.

But Iloilo is ready for the future, too. Located at the site of its old airport in Mandurriao district, Megaworld (its biggest investor) brings in its “live-work-play-learn” concept following the success of Eastwood, McKinley Hill, and Resorts World Newport City, among others. Dubbed as Iloilo Business Park (IBP) covering 72 hectares, exciting things are coming in the next years: Malls, boutique and international hotels, and parks. Luxury hotels like Richmonde and Marriott are expected to be completed this year and 2016. Meanwhile, the first residential tower with its own skygarden, The Palladium, will have 22 storeys and is poised to be the tallest residential tower in Western Visayas.

WHAT TO LOVE: The buildings are eco-friendly and use LED lights. There are no unsightly electric wires, too. They are installed underground.

Baby armor

Workaholic and gadget monster moms, listen up. Drop your phone. Now. Or read this.

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
January 24, 2015

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Which kind of preggy mom are you? A. Workaholic. You’re one of those who are always with their gadgets anywhere, anytime. No judgment. You’re only six months pregnant. A simple email convo with your boss wouldn’t hurt, right? B. Bored. You’ve taken your maternity leave (or you’re a housewife) but because there’s nothing worthwhile to do, you surf the net. C. Social media addict. You just can’t last a minute without commenting on FB, updating Twitter, or posting on Instagram.

BABY’S BEST BET If you cannot drop your phone, protect your baby’s health from the harmful effects of radiation by wearing maternal gears.

Whichever mom you are, you are holding and working with your gadget. But while you think you’re not doing any strenuous activity that can harm your baby, checking your phone or updating your Instagram can. It turns out that everyday radiation or non-ionizing radiation emitted by smartphones, laptops, MP3 players, TVs, and other portable media devices has a biological impact on babies and it’s not positive.

Studies show that radiation affects the way cells grow, DNA replicates, and brain cells function. A 2010 study of 29,000 children by researchers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) found that by age seven, there would be a 50 percent increase in behavioral problems—hyperactivity, attention disorders, and social issues—among children with “regular exposure” to mobile phones in the womb and during early childhood. Similar findings came out of an early study of 13,000 Danish children. According to these studies, the more frequently a mother used a mobile phone while pregnant, the greater the risk that her child would have behavioral problems. Besides behavior and development, magnetic exposure can also cause miscarriage, infertility, and cancer.

But with gadgets so much part of people’s lives, especially working moms who need to stay connected, it’ll be next to impossible to get them to leave their phones at home, lock their laptops inside a cabinet, and swear off Internet. Aileen Chen, cofounder of Belly Armor, didn’t want to do that, so she devised a way to protect her unborn child instead. Belly Armor is a line of maternity accessories like blankets, belly bands, and nursing covers that protect unborn children from radiation.

“Like most expectant mothers, I researched extensively on how to give my child the best start in life. All sources advised pregnant women to eat healthy, exercise, and avoid toxins like alcohol and certain chemicals, all of which I did diligently. But one obvious component in my everyday life that concerned me, about which there was little advice, was the radiation-emitting devices that surrounded me at home and at work. Did they have an impact? I researched more into ‘everyday radiation’ exposure, and was shocked at what I discovered. Radiation does have an effect,” says Aileen.

And it’s not just on the unborn child but on very young children as well. According to Geraldyn Perez, president of Crescom Biomics, local distributor of Belly Armor, babies are disproportionately impacted by all environmental exposures, including mobile phone radiation. And based on the International Agency for Research on Cancer, when used by children, the average radiation frequency energy deposition is two times higher in the brain and 10 times higher in the skull’s bone marrow compared to adults.”

Belly Armor products use radia-shield fabric, a conductive silver textile that neutralizes incoming electromagnetic waves, cancels ambient radiation, and thus reduces exposure. The silver fibers in the fabric works in a similar way with a metal sheet, which is the same approach being utilized in industrial and military contracts, but is safe, easy to use, and convenient. There is no “over-wearing” the armor. It does not use toxic dyes, give off common allergens, or contain harmful materials. So go ahead, wear it anytime, anywhere. After all, you cannot drop that phone right now.

5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM EVERYDAY RADIATION

1. Keep your distance

Have you read your iPhone’s fine print? Most manufacturers have warned consumers to always be an inch away from your gadget. How do you do this? Use earphones and speaker phones (but be sure to keep the phone away from your pregnant belly as well). Never put laptops or tablets directly on your body, especially on your pregnant belly. If you must, use a pillow between the device and your body. Never carry your mobile phone right next to your body. Put it in your bag instead. If you don’t have a bag and have to put it in your pocket, let the front face you so the radiation is directed away from you or put it on airplane mode. Never sleep with your phone under your pillow or close to you.

2. Plane Mode

Put your device on airplane mode to turn off the cellular and wireless signals. It will also save your battery life.

3. Limit Use

Put your gadget down. Limit the time you use your cell phone and other devices.

4. Smart buy

Did you know that not all cellular phones are equal when it comes to radiation? Radiation emitted varies significantly. Mobile phone manufacturers are required by the law to list a measure of specific absorption rate (SAR) of the phone, which is a measure of the radiation absorbed by the user. CNET, Environmental Working Group, and other groups keep up-to-date compilations of the best and worst phones for radiation emission. Google “cell phone SAR ratings.”

5. Protect

While pregnant or even while trying to conceive, shield yourself from radiation-emitting devices.

Empire state of mind

The art of seeing through a fresh pair of eyes

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
January 12, 2015

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Julio Jose Austria has a fitting surname. He likes to travel. And through his arts and travels, he’s able to document the lives of the people in diaspora. “I want to get out of the fish pond. Everybody starts small, always in a small pond. If you won’t go out, you won’t know the creek, the river, the ocean. And in your journey, you gain experience. As an artist, my painting isn’t just about my journey but everybody else’s,” says Julio. In 2009, he ventured out, a small fish in a big pond. In Frank Sinatra’s words, his vagabond canvas was longing to stray somewhere. And Julio found himself in the very heart of, you guessed it, New York, New York. And he found himself thriving in the concrete jungle. While New York’s streets do make you feel brand new and its big lights would inspire you (thanks Alicia Keys), an immigrant artist’s life isn’t always as sweet as it appears to be.

“New York is very competitive. It’s an everyday battle scene and we are the warriors. But if, suddenly, you find yourself quitting, nobody will stop you. There will be instances when you’d ask yourself, ‘What am I doing here?’ New York will break you, but if you know how to adjust, you’ll love it,” says Julio.

PHASES OF TYPHOON Julio Jose Austria’s latest exhibit, ‘Reroute,’ is a look into diaspora and journey. (Images by Pinggot Zulueta
)

And he persisted. He does two to three group exhibits every year. He says that the Big Apple has made him humble and kept him grounded. “You’ll see beggars in the subway who give Broadway-like performances. It’s a privilege to live with talented people. I became cultured, too. Now I appreciate other art forms like poetry, short stories, and theater plays,” he says.

But like Jose Rizal or any other Pinoy who has travelled abroad, Julio says he couldn’t help but put New York side by side with the Philippines, both in their arts scene and in people’s mundane lives. “They’re very different. I don’t want to sound boastful or unappreciative, but the artworks you find rare and beautiful here in the Philippines are commonly found in the streets of New York. It’s also one of the challenges in the Big City, you have a lot of input. The test is how you digest and process them,” he says. He also adds that he gets upset with the country’s slow progress. “I get frustrated every time I go home because the reality is different from your ideals. The problem with us is we don’t appreciate constructive criticisms. We get angry when get them. Tayo pa ang galit,” he says. But Julio doesn’t have a choice. As a “documentarist,” a term he calls himself, he has to paint what he sees, no matter how frustrating. He also likes documenting the journey of human beings.

Since getting residency grants in the United States, Julio has gone back home at least once a year to do shows. In fact, he has 11 paintings on view until Jan. 31 at the Art Cube gallery in Makati. Julio showcases paintings about immigration and journeys and the process of becoming an individual at his exhibit “Reroute.”

Projected Path, oil on canvas, 2014

Testing the Water, oil on canvas, 2014

“The exhibit is inspired by the path of an incoming typhoon. It’s about migration, struggles, frustrations, and inner typhoons. Here in the Philippines, everyone and everything is relaxed. Abroad, besides thinking about your art, you think about surviving and paying the bills. When you go out of your comfort zone, it fuels your inspiration and pushes you to the limit,” he says.

One of his favorite paintings is Projected Path, an abstract representation of a typhoon about to make a landfall. “No matter how hard you prepare in life, there will always come a time when you’ll only get to make a game plan when the typhoon hits the ground,” says Julio.

His other painting Fresh off the Boat shows a picture of an immigrant about to set foot on a new land. Will he jump into the sea and go back to a fish pond? Julio says he’s heard stories of immigrants, pressured from the rigors of life, jumping off to the big blue sea. “FOBs (fresh off the boat),” says Julio, is a New Yorker’s term for foreigners. But he says he doesn’t mind stereotypes. He can handle it. What he won’t handle is making a decision in haste. “I am not in a hurry. For me artists are citizens of the world. I want a longer process, slowly but surely, then boom!”

Julio Jose Austria’s “Reroute” will be on view  from Jan. 17 until Jan. 31 at the Art Cube Gallery in Glorietta 4, Makati City.

Sshh…We’ll let you in on Binondo’s best-kept foodie secrets

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
January 8, 2015

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When in Binondo, let your nose take you to places. After all, our taste buds need to travel, too. Binondo is a hodgepodge of smells: there are the sweet, fresh fruit stands in the corner, Chinese incense shops, fresh flowers, and preserved Chinese medicines. But the most exciting aroma comes from the often cheap yet delicious eateries. Many holes-in-the-wall have no names—just follow where the locals line up for quick eats or, again, follow the trail of aromas wafting out of the kitchens. I just joined Ivan Man Dy and his The Big Binondo Food Wok. We nibbled our way around Binondo’s intimate alleys in a three-hour no-break culinary experience. Come join.

New Po Heng Lumpia House

(Rosario, Quintin Paredes St.)

Located in a vintage 1930s apartment, New Po Heng Lumpia House, as its name suggests, offers lumpia (spring roll) Chinese-style. Unlike the Filipino lumpiang sariwa many are used to, New Po Heng has freshly rolled lumpia—with the consistency of shawarma—served with anise seeds, sweetened Chinese-style soy sauce, fried seaweeds, and hot sauce. For P70, each lumpia roll has generous servings of veggies and meat, finely cut and perfectly rolled. Each lumpia is a labor of love, says Ivan, because of the manual chopping of ingredients. In authentic Chinese families, fresh lumpia is served on special occasions.

New Po Heng Lumpia House

(Rosario, Quintin Paredes St.)

Located in a vintage 1930s apartment, New Po Heng Lumpia House, as its name suggests, offers lumpia (spring roll) Chinese-style. Unlike the Filipino lumpiang sariwa many are used to, New Po Heng has freshly rolled lumpia—with the consistency of shawarma—served with anise seeds, sweetened Chinese-style soy sauce, fried seaweeds, and hot sauce. For P70, each lumpia roll has generous servings of veggies and meat, finely cut and perfectly rolled. Each lumpia is a labor of love, says Ivan, because of the manual chopping of ingredients. In authentic Chinese families, fresh lumpia is served on special occasions.

Dong Bei

(Ongpin St.)

Pray to the gods before heading straight to Dong Bei. It’s a small eatery that can only accommodate 20 persons at a time. Feel lucky if you are seated right away. Gather your patience as each serving of jiao zi (dumpling) in vegetarian, with cabbage, with celery, with kuchay, pork, or shrimp, will surely melt your waiting time away. Each jiao zi is handmade and perfect with chili oil or sweet soy sauce dip.

King Chef

(Lucky Chinatown Mall)

Although it’s not part of Ivan’s wok tour, King Chef at Lucky Chinatown Mall also deserves a foodie stop because it’s near and it’s now offering its new menu. Known for its seafood fares and dumplings, King Chef reinvents its offerings with budget-friendly options. Among its newest dishes are Dragon Boat, which is prawns seasoned with butter and melted cheese served with broccoli and noodles; lapu lapu in pomelo sauce; Shrimp Bombs, crispy coated shrimp balls with melted creamy cheese in the inside; and Peking duck with salt and pepper.

The Big Binondo Food Wok changes its foodie itinerary every now and then. www.oldmanilawalks.com