A whole new meaning to ‘staycation’

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
October 8, 2013

WACKY YOGA SHOT! Participants of the weekend wellness activity held at the Discovery Suites

“Clasp the hands together on your forehead so you may think of happy thoughts, on your lips so you may speak of kind words, on your chest so you may grow love… Namaste.” Words to this effect are as refreshing and rejuvenating as an early weekend yoga class with professional instructor Bee Marfil.

According to yoga gurus, hands pushed together means the union of the brain hemispheres, which promotes positive thinking thus, happy and healthy wellbeing.

It was before sunrise, while the city was still in slumber, when we found our bodies slowly yet surely following Bee’s instructions and poses (arms stretched, legs apart, downward facing dog, forward bend, and meditation poses). It was also a Saturday morning, just what one needed to shake away the stress from yesterday’s hard work. The twisting, lifting, turning, curling of the bodies were a labor for a first-timer but turned out therapeutic after some time. Yoga promoted relaxation of the mind, body, and soul.

The one-hour yoga session was at the highest floor (42nd) of the Discovery Suites Hotel in Ortigas Center, a perfect setting for a weekend ‘staycation’ with friends and families.

Bee Marfil makes a Vinyasa pose seemingly easy.

This basic Vinyasa yoga utilizes proper posture and breathing exercise. The Sanskrit word literally means to place (nyasa) in a special way (vi) or a breath-synchronized movement. Bee said it can relax the yin and yang energies. Moreover, it aides in re-energizing and detoxifying the body, as well as in muscle toning.

Then, a Yin yoga session at the Balance Gym with Flow Surf Yoga Samba co-founder Monica Eleazar-Manzano came next. Yin yoga is a slow-paced exercise, each position lasts for five minutes or less. The poses—happy baby, butterfly, and toe squat—for instance, encouraged deep stretching of the connective tissues in the spinal area, hips, and thighs.

Both yoga classes uphold the relaxation of the tired bodies, weary souls, and confused minds.

HEALTHY GOURMET. The hotel houses Restaurant 5 and 22 Prime.

Healthy food and therapeutic massage

In between the yoga sessions were healthy gourmet food fair, therapeutic massage and retail therapy. Discovery Suites houses Restaurant 5 and 22 Prime, which offer fine dining with nutritious food selections.

After a fulfilling meal, a therapeutic spa session comes next. After all, a ‘staycation’, or vacation for that matter isn’t complete without a visit to spa centers. Though a series of yoga classes can be therapeutic on their own, a trip to Discovery Suites’ exclusive Terra Wellness Spa is as calming.

Its spa treatments include the Terra’s Touch Signature Massage, which combines slow and graceful strokes applied to pressure points to relieve muscle tensions and aid proper blood circulation. For sports lovers, the Deep Tissue massage is a winning combination of sports massage and healing techniques to warm or repair the muscles from lactic acid build up. The traditional Hilot Massage meanwhile renews the ancient Filipino art of healing though kneading with the use of banana leaves.

Before the one-hour spa treatment, each customer is asked to choose between a lavender or orange-vanilla oil to soften callous and rough skin. The professional therapists are all licensed and trained.

Happy tummy and relaxed mind and body, these and more define a perfect staycation.

For further inquiries or reservations, call (02) 7198888 or visit www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com.

Silly ice cream, anyone?

Tutong and sili ice cream, anyone?

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
October 3, 2013

Photos by Brian Arevalo

Besides the natural wonders that make Bicol a tourist spot, its wide array of traditional cuisines is one of the reasons why people keep revisiting it. The Bicol Express and pinangat have put the region in the culinary map of the Philippines. But there’s more to try in Bicol.

The region has upped the ante to prove that it can concoct extraordinary menus while still incorporating its homegrown ingredients. Among them are chili pasta and pizza, and ice cream flavors like sili (chili) and tinutong na bigas (toasted rice), among others.

While on a tour of Mayon Volcano, we stumbled upon Albay’s 1st Colonial Grill restaurant, which is popular among the locals because of its ingenious food menus. It has been offering Bicol trademark cuisines since 2004 but to distinguish it from the rest of the crowd, it came up with sets of clever ice cream flavors like pili, malunggay, calamansi, salabat, tinutong na bigas, and sili.

“The sili ice cream is one of the most popular. The curious tourists usually look for this ice cream and get amazed by its unusual flavor,” 1st Colonial Grill Area Supervisor Jing Muñoz says.

The sili ice cream has a distinct spice and kick, which is perfect for the adventurous food lovers. Because of its popularity, the ice cream flavor has been part of the extra challenges in hit American shows like “Survivor CamSur” and “The Amazing Race.” The sili ice cream uses powdered siling labuyo.

The tinutong na bigas ice cream tastes like coffee because it is inspired by the overcooked rice (tutong) which the Bicolanos drink as their substitute for coffee.

The Bicolanos seem to have a fondness for anything tutong. Other than the ice cream, it is also bringing back an old-time favorite – the Tinunutungang Manok – a chicken dish that is cooked in gata (coconut milk).

The recipe calls for:
• cooking oil
• chicken
• gata
• water
• onion
• garlic
• salt
• coconut shreds
• charcoal
• saging na saba
• lemon grass

First, mix a basin-full of coconut shreds with charcoal embers (nagbabagang uling). Then, in a separate container, combine all the other ingredients. Next, mix the coconut shreds with charcoal together with all the ingredients until it simmers.  Garnish with lemon grass then serve. The result is a savory dish that is creamy, sweet and at times, charcoal-y.

“Some Tinutungang Manok versions do not use saging na saba, but since Bicol has always been devastated by typhoons, our ancestors thought of using this type of banana, which is easily uprooted by strong winds and heavy rains. Sayang naman kasi,” 1st Colonial Grill Head Kitchen Jeric Llandelar explains.

Now it wouldn’t be surprising if Bicol comes up with another uragon (daring) cuisine sometime in the future. Pinangat na ice cream and tutong na pasta could be next.

link: http://www.mb.com.ph/tutong-and-sili-ice-cream-anyone/ 

Photos by Brian Arevalo

Tinapa Fried Rice

Suman, pili nuts, and chips, they all taste better with hot chocolate.

Sili Ice Cream from First Colonial Grill

The savory, sweet, and charcoaly
Tinutungang Manok

Colds in cold months

What ails the BRRR…months?

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 10, 2013 (updated)

Yay! It’s the –ber months again and here comes the inevitable onset of the brrrr days. Aren’t we all looking forward to chiller nights? But, before we start rejoicing and resurrecting our jackets and other (almost) winter-ready clothes, we might as well take precautionary measures as health challenges tag along with the much-awaited Yuletide season.

For one, the cold weather is the culprit for our dry skin and hair and chapped lips. But more than these, the frosty season triggers common colds, influenza, and asthma attacks, among others.

The cold weather actually restricts natural blood flow to our body’s extremities, which keeps the normal body heat for the brain and torso. The restriction of the blood in turn reduces the supply of white blood cells, which are our chief weapons against germs and viruses that cause illnesses.

Here are the common diseases associated with the cold season:

•             Colds and flu = Common colds and influenza are actually caused by viruses. We can get these any time but they are most common during the cold season because people are more exposed to one another. Meaning, they stay closer to keep themselves warmer, hence the spread of virus is faster.

•             Constipation = We hardly drink eight glasses of water (or more) amid the cold season, right? Because of the very obvious reason that it is cold. Hence, there is a tendency to end up constipated. It is very important to relieve ourselves every day regardless of the weather conditions. Never delay the call of nature just because of the cold weather.

•             Asthma attacks = Aside from allergies to pollen, fur and other such catalysts, did you know that the cold season also triggers asthma attacks? According to the article, “The Weather: Wreaking Havoc on Health” by Elizabeth Huebeck (http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/the-weather-wreaking-havoc-on-health) the frosty spell initiates asthma attacks. Vanderbilt Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Program Medical Director David Hagaman says that, “When breathing in fast, the air they exchange doesn’t have a chance to warm up. As a result, the increased cooling of the airway triggers the airway to react by swelling.”

•             Arthritis = Arthritis comes from the Greek and Latin words, arthron (joints) and itis (inflammation). Arthritis is sometimes caused by the changing weather conditions. The cold weather enlarges the tissues in joints. As a result, the swelling puts pressure on nerves, thus the excruciating pain.

•             Cold urticaria = Urticaria or cold hive is a skin allergy caused by the cold weather. This causes swelling, redness, and itching on the skin.

•             Migraines = Migraines are agonizing and severe headaches that can last for hours or even days. They are commonly accompanied by nausea. According to the Medical News Today (www.medicalnewstoday.com), 28 million Americans suffer from migraines and females are more likely to get migraines than the males. The cold weather actually triggers migraine headaches because the blood vessels in the brain constrict or dilate, thus the pain.

•             Sinusitis = Both sinusitis and migraines are often associated with excruciating headache, but to differentiate, sinusitis does not have accompanying nausea. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the mucus membrane, which lines the paranasal cavity. While it is commonly caused by virus, the changing weather also prompts sinusitis. The lack of moisture in the air worsens sinusitis so that perhaps explains why some suffer nasal pains when the room air conditioner is set too low.

Tips for coping with cold weather-related illnesses:

•             Keep your house warm and cozy

•             Move your bodies and exercise despite the cold weather

•             Unearth your sweater, scarves, and muffs

•             Keep your lip balms and moisturizing lotions handy

•             Ready your inhalers and nebulizers

Run, run, run!

Run with the music

Kids with the pumped-up kicks better run to your beat!

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 10, 2013 (updated)

Rexona brand manager Mar Corazo, running expert and Rexona partner coach Rio dela Cruz, Unilever marketing manager Neil Trinidad, and sportscaster Boom Gonzalez

Foster the People’s song “Pumped Up Kicks” (“All the other kids with the pumped up kicks/ You better run, better run, faster than my bullet.”) is lively enough to be included in an adrenaline-pumping playlist—at least for the leisure runners.

And so are the other song choices of renowned runner and coach Rio dela Cruz like “Chasing the Sun”, “I Just Wanna Run”, and “Closer”, which are perfect for running enthusiasts.

“It has been proven that listening to music unleashes your energy, allowing you to run further,” he says.

However, competitive runners like Coach Rio, focus more on their environment because they are adapted and familiar enough to endure a run sans a lively music.

Nonetheless, on October 20, leisure and competitive runners will run to their own beat in Rexona’s annual run fest at the Mall of Asia open grounds.  This year’s event, which is dubbed as the “Run to Your Beat”, is said to be the pioneer for “multi-sensorial night run” where live and lively music will push runners to do more and finish the race.

The race is available in 5K, 10K, and 21K.

“This was inspired by the insight that when you run to the beat of the music, you run faster, you go further, you’re energized to do more. We are always finding ways to make the Rexona Run more exciting than the last. This year, we wanted it to appeal more to people and inspire them to do more,” Rexona Brand Manager Mar Corazo says.

The run will start at 3 a.m. and will be accompanied with live performances of bands and solo artists. The Delta Street, Sandwich, the Diegos, DJ Mia Ayesa, DJ Nina, and Deuce Manila will perform on the 5k race. The 10k meanwhile will include Funk Avy and DJ Khai. While the 21k race will include all the said performers including the finale concerts of Rico Blanco, DJ Mars Miranda, and Elmo Magalona. A party waits at the end of the line.

To register, visit Riovanna stores located at Bonifacio Global City and Katipunan, Toby’s outlets at MOA and SM North Edsa the Block. Online registrations are also accepted at www.runrio.com. Registration is ongoing until October 16.

No need to bring your MP3 players, guys!

Eros in two languages

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 16, 2013

How do you interpret Spanish eroticism to Filipino, without losing its taste and context, despite translators being called traitors?

“If we are to follow the classic definition of translation, I may be trying to defend a lost cause since at the onset, you have already branded me as a traitor. Translation may be seen as a particular form of writing since the translator as a writer is bound to the limits of his original text and yet is expected to transmit certain eloquence in the target language and audience,” says Marlon James Sales, who translated the Spanish classic “Cronica del Rey Pasmado” by renowned author Gonzalo Torrente Ballester to “Ang Kwento ng Haring Tulala”, which was launched recently.

Although fiction, the novel is based on the character of King Philip IV, who ruled Spain in 1621 until 1665. It revolves around the King’s obsession for seeing his queen in the flesh but is suppressed by the strict court and church rules. He then tries to assuage his sexual urges by visiting Marfisa, the Spanish court’s most renowned prostitute. The King’s pursuit of his worldly pleasure created a furor among his people as they thought it would bring their downfall.

The title refers to the amazed expression of the King after his encounter with the naked Marfisa. It also includes lampoons of the traditions of the Spanish high society.

The art of translating erotica

Aside from extensive research about the author, the story, and its historical context, the biggest challenge was to make eroticism palatable and accessible to the Filipino audience, especially to the contemporary readers.

“How on earth can a Filipino translator make dar el gatillazo or premature ejaculation and the limping of the penis an acceptable and ironic comical literary device to illustrate the penis’ frustration as a lover and as a leader?” Sales asks.

According to him, it’s either you go very vulgar or use cutesy euphemism. The Spanish language, Sales says, has a plethora of sex-related words while we have limited translations of them. But never mind, he suggests to invent and create words that will still be faithful to the tone of the original text.

Then, there is the audience to consider.  The Spanish 1989 novel was written with humor and lightness, and so was the rendition. Sales says he does not want his translation to be too deep or too academic; rather, relatable to anyone.

Beyond Erotic

But beyond the storyline of one man’s urges, the novel tries to break down the political ideas during the Spanish Inquisition.

And though written in the ‘80s, the novel remains to be a relevant critique of today’s society, where when we scrap all the fictional factors (Spanish kingdom, 17th century setting, desire of the King to love his wife in the manner he chooses, war), we shall see and relate with the same power struggles, intolerant morality, desire for self-fulfillment, ambition, and money acquisition that the country, Spain, and the rest of the world share.

“It will be a great disservice to the genius of Gonzalo Torente Ballester if our reading of this novel will remain at the level of the erotic, the mundane, the comical, since the story is also a story of our collective ineptness, inaction, and incredulity. “Ang Kwento ng Haring Tulala” ay kwento mo at kwento ko, kwento ito ng pagkatulala nating lahat,” he says.

Sales is a translator, researcher, and professor of Spanish.  “Ang Kwento ng Haring Tulala” is published by Cacho Publishing House.

Groovy Grandma Goes to the Gym

Groovy Grandma goes to gym

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 8, 2013

Groovy Grandma Teresita Cando and her exercise routine

Most grandparents would rather sit back and relax at home after retirement —but not Teresita Cando.

The 65-year-old grandmother from Cebu hits the gym regularly to delay the process of aging. According to her, being old and retired is not a hindrance to do more, rather it should encourage the elderly to enjoy and maximize their energies. Unfortunately, most senior people choose to live a sedentary lifestyle that only speeds up aging.

“As senior citizens, we should be able to enjoy our money in traveling and bonding with the family. However, we cannot enjoy these things if we are not healthy. I want to enjoy my life more. I have worked hard to take care of my husband and my kids for years and I want to be able to take care of them and not the other way around. I love them too much that I don’t want them to worry about me in the years to come. So I started going to the gym and experience the benefits of it,” Cando says.

Given her philosophy of making the most out of life, she hits the gym three times a week to do push-ups and lifts. And because of her commitment to maintaining a healthy and fit body despite her advanced age, Fitness First acknowledged her efforts in the recently concluded New You Achievement Awards. She received the special award with another gym-buff Juan Lee, 96.

Teresita has been a gym member for more than eight years now.

Benefits to the elderly
Teresita has always been inclined towards sports and does a lot of physical activities. Yet, years ago, oddly enough, she started feeling weak, perhaps because of lack of proper guidance.

“A few years back, I started to feel a lot of joint pains, I felt weak, sleepy, and depressed. I couldn’t seem to do things that I enjoyed doing before like [playing] tennis, swimming, and biking. I wondered if it was because of my age,” she said.

Good thing, her gym has skilled trainers and nutritionists who make it easier for elderly gym-goers to stay fit and healthy while keeping up with the rigorous trainings.

Teresita admits her apprehensions and intimidations upon enlisting for a gym membership but now that she is reaping the fruits of her labor. She said: “Nowadays, I feel and look younger. Every morning when I look at myself in the mirror I see a better me every day and I am happy and proud of myself. Working out really makes a lot of difference for me.”

Thanks to her regular gym sessions, she ends up looking great and way younger than she actually is: without traces of a hunchback granny, white and thinning hair, and prominent sagging skin. In fact, Teresita can still easily lift a barbell.

She said: The “gym is a great place to socialize with different people.”

On having the time of her life
Teresita has been a consistent gym member for almost a decade and at the rate she is going, she has no plans of slowing down yet.

Besides achieving a healthier and fitter physique, regular exercise endorses bliss because it releases endorphin, a body chemical that interacts with the brain to reduce its sensitivity to pain. Endorphins have an almost morphine-like effect of being high.

Aside from her gym routines, she takes her daily vitamins and gets pieces of advice from her nutritionist on what food to take and avoid.

“Also, I always keep a positive outlook in life,” Teresita adds.

Given how this groovy grandma is now, she advises everyone to exercise or hit the gym and face life with a newer, happier, and positive kind of attitude.

“I definitely suggest that older people like me should change their outlook in life. Start going to the gym and experience the benefits of a worry-free life. They should discover their potential because there is so much more to enjoy and to do in life,” Teresita says.

Sharing mementos

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 9, 2013

An enduring Filipino tradition always includes the passing on of family mementos for posterity. From a piece of land, a vintage ancestral home, or a simple trinket, this heritage aims to withstand the test of time and remind families, the grandchildren especially, of anecdotes, fond memories, and vast history embodied on an heirloom.

In the hopes of keeping this tradition is a one-night exhibit in Ayala Museum dubbed, “Luminous: Legacy in the Limelight”, which celebrated the heritage, heirlooms, and generations past of some prominent Filipino families like the Jacintos, Calmas, and Soongs.

One of the exhibited heirlooms included a 1960 Fernando Amorsolo painting of Fernando Jacinto and family.  Beside it being an artwork of a National Artist, the life-sized canvas captured the Jacinto parents and brood, including musician Ramon “RJ” Jacinto, posing with their favorite things and hobbies. The family portrait embodies and brings back fond memories, whenever they look at it.

“The painting will eventually be passed on to us and we in return will pass it to the next generation,” RJ’s daughter Natalia says. With this, a piece of history passes on relentlessly.

Some of the memorabilia on exhibit also included the surrealist painter Salvador Dali’s “Melting Clock” sculpture, carefully sheltered by the Calmas, the owners of Multi Development and Construction Corporation. The vintage cars (1965 Alpine two-seater Cabriolet and a 1971 Jaguar E-type) of Wellington Soong also graced the event. The Soong family owns the Autostrada Motor Inc, a luxury vehicle distributor. The suave cars have maintained their swag and style through time.

But perhaps, the most pragmatic inheritance to this day is a piece of land because it can endure a lifetime. Also, its value increases as time goes by.

With these, Ayala Land Premier thoughtfully created Luscara, a 50-hectare residential community that aims to uphold and nurture a family of generations.  Head of Ayala Land Premier Jose Juan Jugo says Luscara is “built to outlive generations and designed for families to be together.”

Luscara embraces the natural gardens with 36 pocket neighborhoods. Each home is provided with its own courtyard. The amenities include a gym, pool, social hall, and multi-purpose court, among others.

Luscara is located near NUVALI in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, which is accessible via the South Luzon Expressway.