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.

Happy first of September

It's Christmas all the way

By Nickky Faustine De Guzman

Published: September 1, 2013

Santa's worker wraps the figurines in time for the influx of customers.

It’s the “–ber” months again!

And with it, hopefully, will be the onset of “brrrrrrrr” colder mornings and a respite from the Habagat onslaught, the pork barrel scam and everything Napoles.  It’s now the season for Natale and to be jolly!

For starters, the Divisoria night market has already opened, which is now at par with Hong Kong’s Mong Kok, a lively shopping district that sells interesting items such as clothes, accessories, gadgets, and shoes. Early mall sales are also happening nationwide which bargain hunters can take advantage of.

As early as now, expect an influx of Yuletide songs in the airwaves and overeager housewives and traders decorating their homes and business establishments with Christmas lights, lanterns, trees and everything Christmassy. Puto bumbong and bibingka stalls will soon line city streets and malls.

For home decors, the Christmas Factory along Lacson Street, Sampaloc, Manila, is one of the popular and go-to places. It has gigantic Santa Claus figures, which come in different designs, colors, sizes, and poses.  A life-sized Santa Clause greets a curious visitor upon entering the store. Each item of ingenuous design personifies and captures what Santa Claus is all about: a source of joy. There are Santa Clauses sitting on a swing, reading a book, riding a parachute, and playing with kids. Their latest design sports a Santa looking at baby Jesus in a manger.

The enterprise started with Jo Santos’s childhood dream of having a tiny Santa Claus figurine at home. “My mother would always tell us that we should be good so Santa Claus will reward us with presents. Then, when I grew up and started my own family, I decided to create small Santa Claus figures to satisfy my passion and decorate my house with. I wanted to feel like it’s Christmas every day,” she said.

Jo’s friends saw her art pieces and thought of buying them. More Santa Clauses were sold in the succeeding years and up to now, more are coming out of this happy factory.

The Christmas Factory is open to the public from September to December 17. When not in season, they export items to Europe, South Africa, and Japan among others. The items are made from papier mâché, resin, or fiberglass.

“It feels good to see Santa Claus because he brings joy,” Jo said.

True enough, as much as the Santa Claus figurines excite the kids, they also bring the children-at-heart back to their fondest childhood memories shared with family, friends, and relatives.

Bicol's Almasor: Thrill Times Three

Almasor: Thrill Times Three

By Nickky Faustine P. De Guzman

Published: August 25, 2013

Bicol region goes beyond the world-renowned Mayon Volcano and its iconic cuisine Bicol Express—because it still has a lot to offer.

The creation of the Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon (Almasor) Tourism Alliance by the Bicol Regional Development Council spearheaded by Albay Governor Joey Salceda, aims to provide more tourist destination options to local and foreign tourists while harnessing the potentials of each province as sub-regions.

Almasor, dubbed as the Soul of the South, boasts of unspoiled islands, hidden caves and mountain trails, nature adventures, delicacies and homemade products, among others.

But what to highlight?
Our five-day retreat to Almasor gave us the wonderful dilemma of choosing which ecotourism activities and beautiful nature backdrops should be prioritized, what islands must be visited, and what needs to be experienced.

Good thing, the Soul of the South proves itself as a place for all options.

On ATV, Misibis, island-hopping, and more
An Albay getaway will never be complete without the Mayon Volcano unveiling itself behind the huge curtain of clouds. However, the possibility is greater if you ride an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or foot climb towards it. Legazpi City takes pride in the fact that Hollywood actor Zac Efron once experienced ATV and enjoyed the scenic views while climbing the foot of the magayon (beautiful) mountain. The unstable terrain of hardened lava rocks and the gushing torrent river water give excitement and anxiety to first-time and even experienced ATV riders.  And there, after an hour or so, is the bare and beautiful Mayon Volcano.

But if daredevil rides aren’t for you, then delight yourself with island-hopping adventures instead. An hour away from the city proper by bus, the Cagraray Island houses the renowned Misibis Bay Resort and Casino. The Misibis Bay is a luxurious island playground built on a stretch of beach that accommodates 37 Asian-inspired villas and 53 Garden View rooms that promise a quiet get away from the city. Aside from languid walks on the shore area, the resort offers water sports activities like jet ski, parasail, kayak, and zipline. The isolated Cagraray Island also houses an amphitheater and church amid its vast blue waters and lush forests.

Both Albay and Sorsogon are bounded but not separated by bodies of water. Sorsogon is world-renowned for butanding-watching, which abounds in the waters of Donsol. However, fewer whale sharks are spotted in the area. Nonetheless, Sorsogon reinvents its offerings with island-hopping in Juag Lagoon for fish interaction activities, and Subic beach and Tikling Island in Matnog for family picnics and lethargic sojourn.
The waters of the islands also produce a bounty of humongous and fresh sea foods that can feed thousands. Imagine our delight when an almost-10 kilogram tilapia was served on a banana leaf in time for our lunch. 

The Masbate province meanwhile may be laid back and quiet, yet the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines comes alive every year when cowboys (and even cowgirls) prove their powers in taming bulls and cattle. Masbate is also slowly becoming more accessible, thanks to the province’s ongoing projects like the Masbate City Road development.

Booming Bicolandia
The Bicol province recorded around 2.9 million domestic and estimated 770,000 foreign tourist arrivals or a total of 3.7 million tourists last year. In fact, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT), Albay is the fastest-growing tourism destination in the country, almost doubling in domestic tourism and 23% in foreign tourism, which reflected in its 49% growth in tourist arrival. Sorsogon came in second with 31% growth. The province of Masbate meanwhile has increased three percent in tourism arrival but is slated to gain momentum owing to the creation of Almasor and some ongoing and future infrastructure projects.

“The completion of the Bicol International Airport in Albay in 2016 is expected to bring in travel revenues and will also pull international markets, which includes Japan, Korea, and European countries among others,” DoT Region V Director Maria Ravanilla says.

With the creation of the Almasor, Ravanilla adds that the region is eyeing around 650,000 foreign tourists annually within the next five years.

Philippine Travel Mart
To help promote Bicol tourism, experience what the region has in store for everyone at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) “Sale ng Bayan” on September 6-8 in SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. The Bicol Peninsula, including Almasor and Catanduanes will host some of the tour packages that will also include over 350 exhibitors with their tour products and promos to major and upcoming tourist destinations, latest resorts, and activity tour programs at reduced prices.

The PTM “Sale ng BAYAN” is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA).