Why You Should Date A Traveler

I bumped into this post from a fellow travel blogger.

http://www.epicpotato.com/2012/02/29/pinoy-travel-bloggers-carnival-why-you-should-date-a-traveler/

There are quite a number of great insights from these travelers. Would you date one? Why not?! I will be dating one, soon!

2012

If 2010 was a roller coaster ride, I welcomed 2011 with new hope and bigger smile.  2011 just passed by too fast. It was a year that was full of unexpected pleasant and unpleasant surprises.

Just as I thought I'd be grounded most of time (well, I was), I still managed to sneak out and give in to that wanderlust:

• Quick trip to see Mt. Mayon once again as we shrugged off backpacking tours and gave in to the luxurious playground at Misibis Bay.
• I had to cancel a trip to Japan after its nuclear catastrophe.  Instead, I got to explore different cities of Vietnam:  Ho Chi Minh, Hue, Hoi An, Hanoi, Halong Bay in March.
• I'm supposed to be grounded for work but free trips courtesy of HSBC are undeniably irresistible.  Travelling solo to United Kingdom was one for the books.  From here on, I'm loving the idea of spontaneous trips.
• Being grounded in Cebu isn't all that bad, I had the chance to revisit Cebu's hidden treasures: Olango Bird Sanctuary.
• I said I'll not dive again, but I cannot refuse an invitation to see the whalesharks in Leyte in the ber months.
• Apparently, I need not go very far, whalesharks are found in Cebu!

The year may not be all glorious, but unexpected moments kept my spirit up:

• Partying in Manila for the first time with unfamiliar people at the Black Eyed Peas concert at MOA grounds was definitely a good good night.
• It was a year of finding and losing old and new flames, just a kick out of the monotony of my life.  There's hope for my love life, an aspect of my life that I took for granted for sometime.  A simple hello even on your inbox does make a difference.
• Lost a friend from a careless remark, the painful part was, it was a necessary evil and I don't find remorse in my heart.
• Priorities need to be set, I declined a trip to La Union and Hong Kong without the feeling of missing out on something, at the end of the day, I just can't have it all.
• May it be weeknights or weekends, bar hopping isn't my thing but this year, stress has taken over, unwinding over alcohol has become a welcome break.  Caipiroska at the Blu Bar, Mojitos and Patron Tequila at Maya are new discoveries and graduated from a single shot to three shots of JQ tequilla at private parties and still standing.
• Burning the seat for ten hours a day at work, only meant ten pounds on my belly is a reminder that numbers don't lie.

Now, what does 2012 bring me?  I'm expecting unexpected moments. :)

No Other Woman Quotable Quotes

After seeing quite a number of posts on facebook (yeah, that's where I get updated with latest buzz) I was intrigued by the movie "No Other Woman" produced by Star Cinema starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsey and Cristine Reyes.  I'm not an avid fan of either of the three and watching Tagalog movie isn't my usual treat but whenever I hear good reviews, I find myself in the movie sobbing on the slightest drama scene.  The movie isn't exactly all that good, it just happened to have a well written script.  These lines will definitely be one for the books.


The movie tackles about love and temptation. The mistress Cara, played by Anne Curtis, not admitting she's a mistress but just having fun “Having fun? Ngayon yes fun! Pero paano pag iniwan ka na niya? Paano pag pinili na niya ang asawa niya? Paano pag na iskandalo na ang pamilya mo? Fun pa rin ba!”

All along she was in denial, this playgirl has fallen in love with a married man, Ram, played by Derek Ramsey.  Ram was a self confessed playboy but turned family man when he married Charmaine, played by Cristine Reyes, a fairly conservative housewife.  Charmaine won't give up the fight as her mom warns her that "Ang mundo ay isang malaking Quiapo. Maraming snatcher. Maagawan ka."  

Intimated my the social status of heiress Cara, her mom tells her "Pareparehong puta lang yun! Ang mayaman bumibili ng hermes sa mall, ang mahirap bumibili ng hermes sa greenhills."  "Panahon na para i-pack-up ‘yang si Lucy Torres mo. Ilabas mo na diyan si Gretchen Barretto. Sabi nga niya sa Magkaribal, ‘You want war? I’ll give you war.’ Anak, ako na ang bahala sa red stilettos mo!"  I just love that bitchy line popularized by Gretchen Barretto.


Charmaine bumped into Cara in one of the department stores.  Both of them were wearing purple,  and so Charmaine's friend blurted out "Meron ba ditong paparty ni barney na hindi ko alam?"  That line was hilariously gay as they proceed to fight for a bag implying no one shall take whatever one has already taken while an all innocent saleslady comes up to say, they have enough stock. haha

 
And so Charmaine befriended Cara, invited her for dinner at her place and threw this line... Charmaine: Why don’t you have dinner with us tonight, pa thank you ko na rin dahil kinuha mo ang asawa ko. Cara: I’m sorry? Charmaine: Bilang supplier ng furniture para sa resort niyo."

Over dinner, Charmaine was a run away winner and slapped Cara with these line, "The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Pero sa ganda mong iyan, siguradong marami kang alam na shortcuts."  "Alam mo kasi ang marriage parang exclusive village. Kailangan mong bantayan para hindi makapasok ang mga squatters."  "Mababaliw siguro ako kung malaman kong may babae siya. Baka mapatay ko yung kabit, silang dalawa actually."

In the end, Ram chooses to be with his wife but Cara won't give up just like that, and chased him on the highway swerving here and there, he slamed a truck with deformed bars (steel) sticking out of it and pierced him.  (That sent me goosebumps, that actually happened to a colleague a few months back where from out of nowhere, a steel bar flew right smack his windshield, which caught dead on the spot.)  Ram was lucky to have survived, Cara eventually gave up love.



Have I missed out on something, do write them here.


They say it's a movie for husbands to see, for me, it's a movie for wives to watch and learn.  Wear that red stilettos out, woman!

Steve Jobs Dies at 56

Yesterday, I woke with my facebook feeds flooded with disappointment about the ipone4s. Today, was even more disappointed by news about Steve Jobs death. I am priviledged to have use one of the first apple computer in the early 80s. Only a few months ago was I convinced to get my hands on an apple gadget - an ipad2. Since then, a day isn't complete without me checking on it, and it's the first and last piece of gadget I hold to start and end the day.

Here's an excerpt of his autobiography, he was adapoted, a dropout, a visionary, LEGENDARY.

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Steve Jobs, the Apple founder and former CEO who invented and masterfully marketed ever-sleeker gadgets that transformed everyday technology, from the personal computer to the iPod and iPhone, has died. He was 56.
Apple announced his death without giving a specific cause.

Escape

I'm writing in the comforts of my bed, overlooking the sea. (Our room overlooks the sea!) I'm on vacation (I'll be writing about my destination soon). This is such a welcome break from all the fuzz over the past months. The silence is deafening (my roommate is playing plants and zombies for hours today). The sounds of the waves outside are playing on my head. My thoughts remained cluttered.

i can tuck in bed all day.

Today, Bo Sanchez wrote about pencils, of all stuff. And I quote,

"You can't be distracted, or you endanger your very existence. You must be focused on one thing. What is your one thing?"

Perception

Countless forwarded quotes are exchanged.  It could be a message that cannot be expressed directly to the other party, and can be construed as half meant.  Or it could simply be just a forwarded message, for the sake of forwarding.  A simple message can bring too many conclusions.  A guy who receives sms regularly, assumes that a girl is interested in him, not knowing it was a mass sms.  I heard too many stories like this (hindi lang pala babae ang assuming!).  Forwarded quotes could also shape the sender's personality;  one who sends bible verses can be perceived to be religious, one who sends some serious stuff can be perceived to be going through some issue; one who sends green jokes can be perceived to be naughty. Guilty?

In the era of facebooking, a one liner status update or a quote can bring too many conclusions as well.  Vaguebooking stirs the curiosity of your lurkers.  It somehow reflect the personality of the person but may not necessarily always reflect their thoughts.  Undeniably, others assume the message you wish to convey based on how they perceive you.  It could also be interpreted based on your last conversation or an incident which happened ages ago.  In the same way, we assume some things with their responses and the absence of emoticons, can be read differently.

Uploaded pictures can also shape the lifestyle of the owner, leading your contacts to think that those are the norm rather than an exception.  Too many times, I've been approached, especially by lurkers, I'd be surprised at how they perceive me to be, through my posts.  Looking at things differently, it becomes a good way to start a conversation and catch up.

"Marami ang namamatay sa maling akala." and I leave you with this quote:

Our thoughts are unseen hands shaping the people we meet.

Whatever we truly think them to be, that's what they'll become for us.

~Richard Cowper

Things may not always turn out how we want them, but the journey makes life worth living.  Have a great week ahead! :D

Fine Dining in Cebu: Olio, Corner Table, Anzani, Maya

Knowing my grandfather's struggle from rags to riches and my mom's patriarchal family upbringing, I've been raised to live a frugal life. Amongst my childhood friends, they knew me as someone who's very frugal and some mistake me for being a miser. The truth is, as school kids, we were not given monetary allowances. On better days, my aunt offered to give a few bucks, ten pesos perhaps. Somehow this left a strong influence on me, trying to stretch every peso because it is never easy to earn one. Once I started earning my own paycheck, I'm constantly saving up for rainy days yet maintained to be financially independent for my own needs and wants.

I have different sets of friends from different walks of life. There are those who tries to make ends meet, hanging out with them makes you appreciate life's little pleasures. There are those who have rose from their ranks, hanging out with them makes you appreciate the fruits of your own hardwork. There are those who are born with a silver spoon, hanging out with them makes you savor life.


Amongst those who knows how to savor life, foodtripping is one of our bonding moments. Trying out Cebu's fine dining restaurants, unmindful of the bill until it lands on our table and all blurts out with a knowing laugh seeing it. Recent months has been a feast!

If you're looking for some fine dining restaurants in Cebu, here are your options:

Olio Steak and Seafood Restaurant
Crossroads, Banilad
Contact number: 2323589, 2321991, 2382931
http://www.oliocebu.com.ph/

Olio is on Philippine Tattler's Philippines' best restaurants list. They serve a good selection of oysters, scallops, steak, lobster, wine... On their anniversary, we endulged ourselves on eat all you can USDA Nebraskan Prime Rib Eye for P899++ (about P1,000 net). While one of us consumed 1.4 kgs., I consumed about 500 grams of it; although I wanted more, my heart is screaming enough. :))

Corner TableThe Gallery, Juan Luna Street, Mabolo, Cebu City
2368910

Corner Table is from the same proprietors of Ginza (Japanese Restaurant) and Academy for International Culinary Arts or A.I.C.A.. Corner Table serves spanish cuisine: tapas and paella. The menu is quite limited. I personally liked their Gambas al Ajillo, Pan con Tomate y Aceite, Arroz Tinto (paella cooked in beef stock topped with sliced steak) and a spanish meal won't be complete without some good Sangria.

Anzani
Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Gorordo Ave
Cebu City 6000
032 2327375
http://www.anzani.com.ph/

Anzani serves new mediterranean cuisine. Anzani has great ambience over looking a mountain; indoors it's as if you're in a log cabin somewhere in Europe or Canada. With online coupon craze, we got a deal at snagthecity.com for a four course meal.for bout P800. The verdict: other than its ambience, there's nothing much to rave about this place.

Maya

Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City

Telephone number: 2389552, 2389618
http://www.mayacebu.com/

Maya is from the same proprietor of Abaca, a boutique hotel known for its high-end tasty Italian food in Mactan. Maya has a sophisticated yet casual ambiance for dining and has a tequila lounge on the second floor. It's mexican food is great. I personally liked the beef and fajitas and nachos with salsa, their version of cripy lechon kawali is a hit to many. The drinks are quite pricey, so it's a place to see and be seen for 30's and up young urban professionals and entrepreneurs, ergo - yuppies. They have a wide selection of good quality and rare find Tequila like the blue agave. If you're looking for some cheap tequila like Jose Cuervo, they don't serve it here. My peers liked the flaming ferrari, it's a 3 colored mixed drink set on fire while sipping it in one shot. I had the Patron tequila - it was smoooooth! and I especially like their Bacardi Mojitos. Alas, I'm starting to like something to drink and that's totally unbelievable! It was here when I first experienced how the world can spin for a second. Seems like my palate is for pricey stuff! haha

One can't get drunk here without emptying your pocket, the price of a good shot at Maya is at least P300. Another place to see and be seen in Cebu is in Vudu (for youngsters) and Formo (for yuppies)

Patron tequila by Maya (photo by Maya)

So are you ready to party and savor life in Cebu? I just did and loving it! :D

These photos aren't mine, post like this give me one good reason why I should get a new point and shoot.

Contagious Laughter at Dong Juan

We pulled off a despedida dinner for a friend who's leaving for United Kingdom very soon at Dong Juan.  It was a reunion of friends from school and I swear the boisterous laughter was contagious as always (even if we were barely half complete).  Even if we don't see one another as often anymore, whenever we come together, there is no silent moment with this loud brood.  We talk about anything under the sun,  we ask and get asked the most outrageous personal question, unmindful of being judged.  Whoever is absent, gets the butt of all jokes and talks. We've shared too many secrets (although we know our secrets aren't safe with them).  The relationship has grown platonic as we see one another grow up; we've gotten too close for comfort that we can't even see ourselves ending up with any of them romantically! haha  As one friend-in-law remarked, "the friendship is really different when you're from co-ed school".  Many of them were in fact my classmates since first grade.  At an early age, when you find friends for life, you need not seek so many others.  That's maybe the reason why I tend to be clannish with my circle of friends.  ;)  That was another night to remember and staying out until after midnight on a weekday only proves, there's nothing quite like this company. (and I can't forgive myself for not bringing a camera)

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

-o-

Dong Juan started out as an airconditioned hole in a wall restaurant in the side streets of Guadalupe.  They occupy the very first location of Mooon Cafe.  With a great affordable menu, they're a hit!  They just opened their second branch. They are popular with their burgers, but among my favorites are: burger steak, gambas al ajillo pasta, salami pasta, and fish 'n chips; all these with an average price of P150.  This is another home grown cafe in Cebu.

For reservation contact:
Dong Juan

(63-32)2561796
Emilio Osmeña Street. Barangay Guadalupe

(63-32)2665826
The Persimmon Plus in M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Hipodromo

First Lessons

Yesterday was the last day of my so called life. 

I'd be awfully busy with a new project coming up.  I am not sure how I will get through the next six months and still look refreshed.  Everyday, I feel jittery about facing something uncertain yet put up a confident facade for my staff.  I don't know how I'll manage to tone down that wanderlust when I see everyone else going places.  In fairness, I've had my fair share, by practically going around Asia almost once every two months last year.  I've been told by the project director to do risk management including to refrain from dangerous sports, ergo, no scuba diving!  Ew!  I'm eyeing to swing a trip to Malapascua next weekend, I guess I have to decline the invite.  To keep my focus, I have deactivated my facebook account, uh well, I tried and it didn't last for more than 23 hours.  Still coping with the withdrawal symptoms!

First lesson learned from this project?  Do the head bobble (or wobble)!  It's a gesture to tilt the head side to side, in agreement to the speaker.  It was kinda odd at first, because we are accustomed to nodding our head up and down in agreement.

Anyone Can Cook

Good Friday is a day of fasting.  As soon as I woke up,  I headed to the kitchen and thought of cooking some no meat dishes for the family and visiting relatives.  Of the limited dishes that I know how to cook, I opted to make some mushroom bruschetta for a change.  Since my aunt just bought some fresh clams from the market, I had no other option but to cook spaghetti vongole instead of my sister's favorite spaghetti funghi porcini.

I totally forgot that there are more relatives arriving from Manila that day.  An aunt came and she's one of those that you'd dread  to cross path with, simply because she has the loudest voice and has the knack to criticize about anything and everything, she's so hard to please.  She found the mushroom bruschetta, beautifully placed on the dining table's lazy susan and started questioning... what ingredients I used, why it's too dark, how I prepared it, blah blah blah and I answered each question cautiously.  After a while, she sat down and took a bite and said, ah "this is good and healthy!"  That remark was such a sigh of relief.  It is very rare of her to give praises.  And to return the favor, I offered to give her some dried mushrooms to bring home to Manila and she expectedly accepted it.

Next thing I know, she was beside me trying to reach the wok while I started cooking the spaghetti vongole.  She asked too many questions again, maybe found interest in my cooking.  It's the first time for her to see me cook.  Considering it's italian cuisine, I feel so vindicated when she liked it.

Whew,  I felt jittery for a moment, I could possibly get the worse comment today but thankfully it was all praises.  I needed that to get some boost, I am more confident to serve some real food.  Anyone can cook, right?

New Year, New Hope

Whew, this year has been a roller coaster ride.

I had an acute case of wanderlust and it's getting worse every year.  Is it a good or a bad thing?  Last year, I've upgraded my Lakbayan Grade to C+ by fulfilling my Wow Philippines wishlist.  Unexpectedly, this year, I was able to tick off most of my Southeast Asia and the Pacific wishlist:

• Bonding with cousins during the Hot Air Balloon in Clark, Pampanga  in February was exciting.
• Trekking up Mt. Pinatubo, Capas Tarlac with my soon to be in-law in February was breathtaking.
• Diving with pelagic (sharks, napoleon wrasse etc)  in Palau, Micronesia in March was a whole new world.
• Trying out my new toy: Panasonic GF1 in Boracay in April was lovely.
• Conquered the waters and locals of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia in May was superb.
• Got a ten year US visa in July even I have to intention of going there soon.
• Sardines and Thresher Shark overload in Moalboal, Cebu last July was fulfilling.
• Backpacking Japan in August was an experience.
• Autumn in South Korea in October was sweet.
• Business trip to Bangkok, Thailand in November was an eyeopener.
• Foregone a trip to Davao in December was a good decision.
• Stopover trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December was luxurious.
• Leisurely trip to Siem Reap in December was heartwarming.

I still have too many travel journals to write about.  One thing is for sure, I'm loving those stamps on my passport!

In between, work life has been a great challenge.  A big decision had to be made, hoping that the benefits will outweigh the risks.  Next year will be a year to beat. With a big new project on hand, I have to play superwoman and be wanderlust no more.  I hope I can pull it off with the rest of the team.

It has also been a tough year for my family.  Serious health issues had been popping every so often for the past year.  First my uncle's spinal surgery, then my aunt's fall and hyper acidity attacks, then my uncle's impending kidney transplant, now my dad's post surgery issues.

As of this writing, it is his second day in the Coronary Care Unit after having been moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).  He was in the ICU for five days after suffering irregular heartbeat during and after a three hour raptured appendicitis surgery. The doctors say he is at high risk of getting a stroke if things don't normalize.

This happened when I was away from home after Christmas.  I was all too jittery everytime my phone rang, I get updates from my siblings through text messages and emails.  I tried to rebook my flight home but can't. In times like these, every hour counts.  While waiting for my transit flight home, I got a call from dad.  After the short conversation, I felt very sentimental and can't help but shed some tears at the airport!  He's even first to ask how's my trip rather than me asking him how's he's coping.  He's simply the best, he's my strength.

Today, we visited him twice, it was a relief to see him in a good disposition.  At around 6 in the evening, while we were chatting with him, his heart monitor kept alarming.  His heart stopped for a split second then his heartrate instantly became normal (from a level of hundred plus to sixty-six).  The cardiologist even came back on a New Year's eve to verify the ECG, he can't believe it himself.  OMG,  a miracle just happened before my eyes.

Thank you Lord,  I can welcome the new year with a bigger smile.  Hopefully he recovers fully.  I believe in miracles, do you?

Food for the Soul

Reposting Bro Bo Sanchez' latest post.  It's exactly what my parents preach every single day.  If I show this to them, I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it.  They will agree with much conviction.

The Best Medicine In The World Is Right In Front Of You

       Lolo Carding and Lola Caring met each other in their old age, fell in love, and decided to get married.
       Their age? Lolo Carding was 81 and Lola Caring was 79.
       One day, while walking in a mall, they passed by a big drugstore.
       Lolo Carding told his fiancé, “Let’s go in.”
       They met the woman behind the counter. Lolo Carding asked, “Do you sell heart medication?”
       The woman said, “Yes, Lolo.”
       “Medicine for arthritis?” Lolo Carding asked.
       The woman nodded her head, “Plenty, Lolo.”
       “How about medicine for memory problems, back pains, osteoporosis, constipation, high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes?”
       The woman smiled, “Yes, we have all those medicines, Lolo.”
       “Do you also sell wheelchairs and walkers?”
       “We have many brands, Lolo.”
       Lolo Carding and Lola Caring smiled at each other, turned to the woman behind the counter and said, “We will be getting married in one month. Can we use this drugstore as our bridal registry.”

How You Can Avoid

Becoming A Walking Drugstore?

       People expect that as they grow old, they’ll be taking more and more drugs.
       Why? Because that’s what old people do. 

I know of some people who take 20 tablets a day. 

That seems normal now. People take maintenance medicines for hypertension, high sugar, cholesterol, uric acid, high sugar, and heart problems. Plus, they take more medicines for the side effects. Isn’t that insane? Yet that has become normal too.

       Friend, this doesn’t have to happen to you.

You have a choice.

There’s another path to growing old.

       I’ll repeat my message: The best medicine in the world is God’s chosen food. Eat it and be healed.

Consult Your Manufacturer

       If you’re phone is busted, what do you do?
       You just don’t bring it to anyone.

If you’re wise, you bring it to its manufacturer.

If you have a Nokia phone, you bring it to Nokia. 

If it’s Samsung, you bring it to Samsung. 

If it’s an Iphone, you bring it to Apple.

Today, I want you to go to your Manufacturer.

Get yourself repaired.

       Consult Him. 
       What does He say about becoming healthy?
       I’m not a doctor.
       I’m a spiritual mentor.
       So I’ll be showing you what the Bible says about health.

It’s amazing how science is now discovering the logic behind these ancient verses. 

99% Cause Of All Disease

Read carefully: According to immunologists, 99% of all diseases aren’t caused by germs. They’re caused by a starving, weak, malnourished immune system.

       Your body has an incredible, God-designed, super-elite army capable of destroying any germ that tries to attack it.
       This internal army consists of billions of cells in your body that can prevent and cure any disease in your body.
       But that’s the problem: We don’t eat the food that God designed for us to eat. So that army is starving.
       No wonder we get sick!
       If you look at the Bible, it gives you very practical recommendations on what you should eat. Let’s consult our Manufacturer and find out what He says about what we should eat.
       Let me discuss three prescriptions today.

1. Eat Plants

2. Eat Clean

3. Eat Other “Food”

1.Eat Plants

In Daniel 1:11-15, we read the fascinating story of how Daniel and his friends competed with the Babylonians in the “Who Will Be Healthier In 10 Days?” Contest…

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food….” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

Daniel and his friends ate “vegetables and water”.

The other young men ate “royal food” which consisted of meat and other food that was considered “unclean” by the Bible. After ten days, Daniel and his friends were healthier. The poor man’s diet won over the rich man’s diet.

The Bible says in Genesis 1:29, “I have given you every plant with seeds on the face of the earth and every tree that has fruit with seeds. This will be your food.”

       The Bible tells us that plants should be our main food. And today, modern science agrees!
       If you study our bodies, you’ll find more similarities with herbivores than carnivores.
       Go to the mirror now and check your teeth.

What do you notice?  They’re flat. (If they’re all sharp, I suggest you find a good Exorcist.) Just like the teeth of cows, goats, and sheep. 

Carnivores, like lions and tigers, have sharp teeth. 

       Second, herbivores have very long digestive tracks. Just like ours. Carnivores have short ones.
       Our anatomy is telling you that our major food should be plants. The reason why we get sick is because for many years (decades?) we’ve not been eating enough plants.

Objection 1:

“But Bo, I Take Vitamins!”

       Some people say, “I don’t like fruits and veggies. So I just take vitamins.”
       Thank God you’re taking vitamins.

But that isn’t enough. Sorry, vitamin pills won’t replace the actual fruit or veggie. 

       They’re called supplements because they add, not replace. 

Because fruits and vegetables aren’t just about the vitamins. The actual plant also gives enzymes, trace elements, fiber, alkalinity, etcetera!

Let me give you an analogy.

       If you’re my age, you probably watched Voltes V.
       For younger people who didn’t watch this Japanese cartoon, my deepest condolences. 

Voltes V consists five spaceships piloted by Steve, Mark, Big Bert, Little John, and Jamie. There was a love triangle between Steve, Mark, and beautiful Jamie and…uh, never mind. 

By themselves, the spaceships are okay. Each can shoot down enemy ships. 

       But somewhere in the middle of the cartoon, these five spaceships connect with each other and “volt-in”.  Attached together, they form a giant, powerful, kick-butt robot with a saber sword. 

Yep, the sum is always greater than its parts.

Swallowing a vitamin pill is like getting only one spaceship of Voltes V.   But when you eat the whole fruit or vegetable, you’re getting all 5 team members—and they volt-in!

They work together to build you up.

       Take the case of enzymes.

You Need Workers

       Vitamins and minerals are like the raw materials for building your body. Imagine all of the wood, steel, and cement necessary to build a home. 

But the enzymes are your laborers. Without laborers, the house won’t be built.

       And where do you get enzymes? Not from a pill.
       You get enzymes when you eat raw fruits and raw vegetables.

Alkaline Body

       No, I’m not talking about long-lasting batteries.

Here’s another thing complete fruits and vegetables gives you that pills can’t: When you eat plants, your body becomes alkaline.  And germs can’t live in an alkaline environment. Cancer cells can’t live in an alkaline environment. That’s why cancer patients and other sick people have highly acidic bodies. (By acidic, I’m not talking about stomach acidity. I’m talking of the entire body.)

       When you eat fruits and vegetables everyday, you make your body alkaline, thus making it stronger against disease.
       Here’s another objection…
        

Objection 2:

“But Bo, I Do Eat Fruits and Veggies!”

       That’s great!

Question: How much?

Some eat one fruit a day—a banana after a meal—and they pat themselves on the back and say, “I’m healthy.”

Some eat one tiny side dish of cooked veggies—perhaps buttered string beans and carrots—and they say, “I’m healthy.”

But doctors specializing in immunology will tell you that you need fifteen kinds of fruits and vegetables everyday to be healthy.

       Fifteen! Every single day.
       I’m not asking you to be vegetarians. 

But if you want to be healthy, make fruits and veggies your main food. Let everything else be side dishes.

Objection #3:

“But Bo, It’s So Simplistic…”

       Last month, while traveling in Shanghai, my 85-year old mother got sick. (Yep, at her age, she still travels!)
       When she came home, she got worse. She was coughing non-stop, felt very weak, couldn’t sleep, had pain in her ribcage.
       When my sisters brought her to the clinic, the doctor gave her top-of-the-line antibiotics. They were expensive and powerful. She took one tablet before she slept.
       The next morning, she felt terrific. “It’s a miracle,” she said, “I feel so good. The antibiotic worked.”
       That day, my health mentor visited us (I have a mentor for various areas of my life). He looked at my mother, and said, “Mommy, I want you to take a megadose of vitamin C.”
       My sister asked, “What brand?”
       My health mentor laughed. “When I say megadose of vitamin C, I don’t mean swallowing a pill. I’m talking about eating fruits and drinking fresh fruit juices.  Liquefy them. Drink juices many times everyday!”
       Here’s what happened. 

My mother didn’t listen to him. Nor did any of my sisters who were staying with her.

       Why? Because the antibiotic was working.
       Or so they thought.

The next day, the “miracle” wore off and she got worse. 

Her coughing got worse. Her pains got worse. Despite taking powerful antibiotics everyday.

       After one week, she was a wreck. 

Mom hates hospitals. But that morning, she felt so bad, she woke up and said, “Bring me to the hospital. I can’t take it anymore.”

       But that day, my health guru visited again. 

And he asked her, “Mommy, did you take your fresh fruit juices?”

       Mom shook her head.
       My sisters said, “Ooops, we forgot.”
       My health teacher scolded us, “What happened? Mommy, please take your juices, non-stop, everyday.”

Healing From Simple Fresh Fruits

       That day, we gave her fresh fruit juices.

Many times a day. We’d take the fruits, chucked them in a blender, and poured the juice into a glass. Simple.

That was her main food the next few days.

       And would you believe? 

In two to three days, she was cured!

Here’s our problem.

       We don’t like simple solutions.
       We like it when the solution is complicated. 
       It’s more believable.

Like costly pills.

A trip to the hospital.

An expensive medical test.

       But when we hear the words, “Eat fruits”, we think it’s old wives tale.
       But scientists are now telling us it’s NOT old wives tales.

Just last January, a group of food scientists proved that Mango—in an experiment made in a laboratory—fought the cells of breast and colon cancer.

For years, scientists have been saying that bananas are effective against hypertension, depression, digestive problem and a host of other diseases. And ripe bananas have cancer-fighting elements.

For years, pineapples have been known to have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

       Ordinary fruits that we take for granted because they’re so available. But what do we do?
       We’d rather eat a candybar than a mango.
       We’d rather eat chichiria (chips) than a pineapple.

I’m not a scientist. Never was and never will be. But here’s my wild guess: I believe all fruits are powerful medicines for your body. If you follow the immunologists and eat 15 kinds of fruits and vegetables everyday, you’ll avoid many sickness.

Let me give you two very practical steps on how to apply this important food recommendation into your daily life.

Action 1:

Eat Local Fruits For Breakfast Everyday

I have a simple solution for you.

       Instead of a breakfast of hotdogs, pancakes, bacon, eggs, spam, and rice—why not eat fruits?

Here’s what I do.

       Every morning, I eat local fruits for breakfast.
       Pineapples. Watermelons. Melons. Star apple. Mangoes. Bananas. Guyabano. Papaya. Etcetera!
       I try to eat 5 fruits every morning. 
       When I do that, I bless my body everyday with the following:

o   I load up with natural vitamins and minerals.

o   I take in necessary living enzymes.

o   I cleanse my internal organs of toxins.

o   I give my body an alkaline environment.

Suggestion: To really get the maximum effect of the fruits, wait for an hour before you eat any other food or drink water.

Action 2:

Eat Raw Veggies For

Lunch And Dinner Everyday

       Most people eat veggies.
       But we eat too little of them. 

A few leaves. And we think we’re okay.

No, you’re not. Your immune system is starving for real food.

       Another thing? We cook our veggies to death. All the nutrients and enzymes are gone.
       Here’s my very strong recommendation: For lunch and dinner, eat a huge bowl of raw salads. Let that be your main meal.
       What veggies? Sing Bahay Kubo.

Organic, if you can find them. If not, wash thoroughly.

       For variation, you can also eat slightly cooked, slightly steamed, slightly blanched veggies.
       I’ve got some favorite dishes: I love a bowl of hot soup filled with slightly-cooked fresh veggies with a dollop of Korean fermented chili (spicy!) sauce. Yum!
       I’ve been eating this way for some time now and my body is thanking me for it. If you’re good to your body, your body will be good to you.    

I encourage you to study how to make delicious veggie dishes. Google it. Buy vegetarian recipe books. Make your family healthy and prevent disease! Ten years from now, you’ll be grateful you upgraded your diet.

Here’s my second prescription.

2.Eat Clean

If you read the Old Testament, you’ll find God calling some animals “clean” and others “unclean”.

Here’s one example in Leviticus 11:1-3: The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.

       According to the Bible, cows, sheep, and goats are clean.
       Pigs aren’t.
       Chickens and turkeys are clean.
       Rabbits aren’t.
       Tuna and salmon are clean.
       Crabs, shrimps, shells, and squid aren’t.
       On and on the list goes.
       In the New Testament, we no longer follow these food laws. Because as Christians, we don’t consider them spiritual laws anymore. We’re free to eat anything. 

Yes, you won’t go to the fires of hell if you eat lechon. 

Yeheey.

Instead of taking them as spiritual laws, I suggest that we take them as health recommendations.

       Because this is what I find amazing: Science is now discovering that animals labeled as “unclean” by the Bible carry more diseases and more toxins than the “clean” variety.

For example, “clean” animals have 3 or 4 stomachs and with very long digestive tracks. But unclean animals have one stomach and a very short digestive track. 

A cow takes 24 hours to digest its food. 

Aside from the fact that a pig eats anything, it also takes only 4 hours to digest its food—absorbing much of the toxins that it eats into its meat.

Vacuum Cleaner Of The Sea

I find this next passage rather fishy.

In Leviticus 11:9-10, it says, Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales.  But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to detest.

What are sea creatures without scales or fins? 

Crabs, lobsters, shrimps, squid, and all shells.

Today, we know that they’re the scavengers of the sea.

They’re garbage collectors.

They’re vacuum cleaners.

They’re bottom-feeders, eating fish droppings and dead creatures.

Because of this, they purify the water. 

Good for the water. But bad for them. And bad for those who eat them.

High concentrations of germs and toxins are in their meat.

       In fact, if scientists want to know the toxicity level of a lake or lagoon, he’ll get a shrimp in that water and measure the toxins in its meat.
       And what’s so important about scales anyway? 

       Today, science has discovered that scales are important because that’s what fishes use to release the toxins from its body.  

       My recommendation?
       Avoid pork.
       Avoid crabs, lobsters, shrimp, squid, and all shells.
       At the very least, minimize eating them. 
       Because if you eat them regularly, you’ll have a more difficult time preventing disease in the future.
       Let me now go to my last prescription…

Prescription #3:

Eat Other “Food”

       Food isn’t our only food.
       Your body requires other kinds of nourishment.
       Let me mention four of them today very quickly.

1. Oxygen

God formed Man out of dirt from the ground

and blew into his nostrils the breath of life

–Genesis 2:7

Your cells are starving of fresh oxygen. 

Germs can’t live in a highly oxygenated environment. 

Take deep breaths everyday. De-stress yourself at different times of the day.

This naturally happens when you follow the next “food”…

2.Movement

Physical exercise has some value…

–1 Timothy 1:8

Find an exercise that you enjoy. 

Personally, I love walking. 

It’s the simplest exercise. 

When you walk, you go outdoors, you get sunlight, you oxygenate your body, you get an emotional lift, you lessen your stress, and you cleanse your lymphatic system.

And speaking of sunlight…

3.Sunlight

The light is pleasant,

and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.

–Ecclesiastes 11:7

Many people are sick because they lack Vitamin D. 

Because Vitamin D prevents osteoporosis, prostate cancer, breast cancer, depression, diabetes, and obesity. (No one is marketing sunlight because we can’t bottle sunlight and earn from it.) Mothers who expose their babies to the sunlight know what they’re doing. But what’s the difference between the baby and an adult? Get 30 minutes of sunlight everyday.

4.Sleep

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain…;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

–Psalm 127:1-2

Many people don’t sleep enough. 

If you want to be healthy, listen to your body. Your body will tell you how many hours of sleep it needs. For example, I’ve noticed that vegetarians need lesser hours of sleep—because digestion takes a huge amount of energy. But most people will require 8 hours of sleep to be fully totally restored.

       But at the end of the day, I believe that real sleep doesn’t come from sleeping pills or an expensive bed.

       I believe real sleep comes from God.

       Do you trust in the Lord for all your worries?

       When you trust Him deeply, you can sleep!

— 0 —

       By the way, didn’t you notice that the four elements above—oxygen, movement, sunlight, and sleep—are free? Health isn’t expensive.

Cleanse Your Soul,

Cleanse Your Body

       Let me end with two true-to-life stories.

       I know of a woman who was almost a vegetarian for ten years. But recently, she had cancer.

       People around her were aghast. How could someone whose diet was so healthy have cancer?

       The answer came from those who knew her predicament: Last year, she discovered her husband was having an affair. It was such a painful experience for her. Her heart was filled with rage and bitterness.

       In my ministry, I’ve talked to so many people with cancer. I’m no longer surprised when I find out that it coincided with a highly stressful, very painful event in their lives.

       Why am I sharing this to you?

       To remind you again that we’re not just biological creatures. We’re spiritual and emotional beings too. And eating the right food is crucial for our health, but that’s just one part of the equation.

       Let me now share with you my other story.

       My friend had breast cancer 7 years ago.

       Prior to this, she too discovered her husband had an adulterous relationship. The family was torn apart. Bitter rage filled her heart.

       But she knew the deadly poison of resentment. And so daily, she let go of her anger. She surrendered her husband to God.

       And in prayer, she was led not to go through any chemotherapy or radiation. Instead, she became a pure 100% vegetarian. Her goal was to remove all emotional and physical toxins in her body.

       She was successful.

       Because today, my friend is totally free from cancer.

       I pray that the same miracle will happen to your life.

      

       Go ahead.

       Cleanse your soul.

       Cleanse your body.

       May your dreams come true,

       Bo Sanchez

More Reasons to Tour Around the World Before Hitting 40

I have a family who loves to travel but the fact is, they are starting to age and it's such a hassle to be traveling with them. I would definitely not enjoy a trip pushing their wheelchairs while hearing endless nagging, following their baby steps when they refuse to sit on one, food restrictions due to health problems, arguing that baggage allowance and so many other new travel restrictions are in placed, or even getting accused of illegal acts in a foreign land.  On the other hand, I would also not enjoy a trip being in their shoes: senior and traveling.

Making Ends Meet

For the past weeks, I've been preoccupied reorganizing my staff, streamlining other departments,  reviewing policies and procedures in preparation for a bigger project next year.  It seems like, I'm earning one wrinkle a day.

One of the many problems I encounter is to manage other people's financial problem.   How do you actually help your people trying to make ends meet?  When they do not know what savings is all about.  All they know is borrow money now and tomorrow will be another day.  Oftentimes, I became the evil one disapproving their application for loan or cash advance;  it can be heartbreaking sometimes but I have to do what I think is right.  I recently signed a memo outlining new policies for loan application to make sure their net take home pay will be enough to sustain them until the next payroll period.  Some will understand but many will say, "I have no other choice."  Today,  I am faced with:

• a call and a message from an employee asking for favor not to deposit his loan to his ATM because it is mortgaged to a lending firm; 
• a worker personally appearing before me asking for reconsideration to renew his loan to payoff tuition fees;
• another renewing his unpaid loan to send some money to his family in the province;
• one trying to renegotiate the amortization of his loan after owing from four other different institutions
• another renewing his barely half paid SSS loan for tuition fee when after all his existing loan, his net take home could not even feed him for a day.

Because of this, I'm compelling myself to read more about the benefits of mandatory government contribution like SSS, HDMF and Philhealth.  To make sure they get what they deserve and I won't be in hot water if I disapprove one.  I'm posting what I've learned on my blog http://philippinetaxation.blogspot.com/ .

If only I could rub off a lamp and ask genie to grant them all the cash they need.  Lord, help them!  Unfortunately, trying to make ends meet, has become a way of life.

Stalking the Stalker

As I browsed through my news feed on facebook, I didn't find any interesting post, not until I came across a comment over a friend's post with a familiar name.  I read it twice and it occurred to me that  it's the name of the person who stalked me sixteen years ago and several years thereafter.


Sixteen years ago, when mobile phone was not yet in the mainstream, I received a call at home from a stranger.  He introduced himself and explained he found me through our highschool yearbook.  If my memory served me right, he went to a different school and was several years my senior.  The conversation lasted for a few minutes basically fishing information how he got hold of our yearbook and who else he had been calling.  A few days or weeks later, I got a call again and managed to cut it really short.  Years later, he managed to find my contact number in my work place reintroducing himself as my old phone pal, that gave me goose bumps! At some point he knew I was out of town and got hold of my mobile phone.  Years later, he called me again in my most recent employer's office.  I could not help but lie and pretend that I don't remember him.  The circumstances were freaking me out.

If we have bumped into each other in the past, I had no idea how he looked like but I'm sure he'd recognize me.  Although I'm not a hundred percent sure that it's him, the name isn't that common.    I doubt if I could recognize him in public, his profile picture looked... uh rather generic (sorry for the use of such term), but at least I could be cautious because now I know the face behind the name.

-o-

Tuesday nights, is badminton night.  I was exceptionally hyper.  Since the next day is a mid-week holiday, the group bonded with a midnight snack at Tinder Box.  There I saw an old flame with a group of friends and his wife in the cigar room behind the glass window right in front of me.  I last saw him six years ago,  other than being curious how he looks like now (he gained weight!), I was eager to know how I'd react.  The possibility of me fainting due to sudden drop of blood pressure used to come to mind.  But I'm relieved to know that moment didn't bother me a bit.

Thank God.  Everything comes into place at the right time, at the right place.  :)

Not Again

It's not a joy to be visiting four different clinics the past week.  While chatting with my BFF who is a physical therapist based in the USA, I was stretching/folding my wrist, when I suddenly felt a sharp pain over the collar bone.  This is the second time it happened.  The first one was last January while playing badminton.  My chiropractor said I partially dislocated my collar bone.  My therapist said I need an x-ray.  The orthopedic doctor in Manila said I did not stretch enough.  Browsing through the internet for possible impingement syndrome is driving me nuts.  For some peace of mind, I had to visit my orthopedic doctor today.

The diagnosis was a thining cartilage in between the collar bone that led to a bone spur due to repetitive action of the arm.

I am again under medication with arcoxia 120mg for ten days and glucosamine sulfate 1500mg for three months.  I'm not so fond of taking meds or vitamins, but I guess with the numerous injuries I had, this time I have to religiously take them.  Glucosamine is a food supplement for the cartilage.  They are available over the counter but my orthopedic doctor insisted that it should contain 1500mg Glucosamine Sulfate and not Hydrocloride as most popular brands contain.  Chondroitin and MSM are not necessary.

There I go again.

Discovery Weekend

Discovery Weekend is recognized by the Catholic church as a pre-cana - a pre-requisite before they are allowed to be married in church. I have friends and relatives who have previously joined this program... all of them have positive reviews saying it assisted them to discuss issues that were taboo and those taken for granted before saying I DO. Most said their I do's and a few decided to separate; well at least before they tie the knot. Although the schedule for 2010 is not yet out, I'm forwarding this link to my sister who's tying the knot in September.

To know more about Discovery Weekend, read on:

The Discovery Weekend is a weekend experience held in the Philippines for engaged couples or "steadies" who are seriously considering marriage.

The purpose of the program are the following:

* to assess each one's relationship to oneself, to each other, to God and the Christian community
* to experience, develop and deepen their relationship through a method of communication and dialogue which they can bring into their marriage
* to witness to the many dimensions of marriage openly, honestly and realistically through a team of three married couples and a priest
* to be able to plan their marriage and not just their wedding

It is designed for couples seriously considering marriage. They can be engaged to marry in a week's time or going steady for a short period but contemplating marriage. The weekend is not necessarily for perfectly matched couples nor is it designed to help unstable relationships. The program is intended to enrich and deepen the couple's relationship to better prepare them for marriage. So any couple may join the program, regardless of the status of their relationship-as long as marriage is in their minds.

Contact Information:

Discovery Weekend Foundation (PHILIPPINES)
(SEC Registered as Marriage Preparation Foundation)

SPIRITUAL-PASTORAL CENTER
3rd Floor, Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM)
Ateneo De Manila
Loyola Heights, Quezon City PHILIPPINES

P.O. Box 305, U.P. Diliman, Q.C.
Telephone No.: 426-1271, (0917) 665-6181
Contact Person: Lala Denila
E-mail: info@discoveryweekend.org

CEBU Contact Person: Mike & Joyce Fernan
Telephone No.: (032) 2612349, (0917) 620-2020
DAVAO Contact Persons: Gay & Alen Famador
Telephone Nos.: (0917) 704-2809, (0916) 700-1152
Chito & Cindy Pat
Telephone No.: (0927) 343-1315

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

The past year was indeed a roller coaster ride, filled with much woes and frustration with life, work, relationships and more. I'm glad the year is over and it's over with answered prayers that brought inner peace. Because of that, I feel optimistic about the coming year. I got a feeling that this coming year will be a good good year. I've never feel happier in recent years. I'll do cart wheels if only I can. :)

Looking back, I can't help but enjoy ride. I was able to upgrade my lakbayan grade from C to C+ with trips to Coron, Donsol, Batanes and Siargao. I don't know where I'm off to this year. The year has started and I'm surprised to see my calendar filled for the next six weekends... it really is an exciting but hectic year. On new year's eve, a travel buddy was narrating his wish list; and I woke up with a sms asking me to plan for a winter trip, then later in the day, got a message from another asking for the list of holidays this year. As the designated organizer woah, pressure! But frankly, I don't know where to start this time. How about just being spontaneous, for a change? :)

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you the timeless treasures of Christmas.
The warmth of home.
The love of family
and the company of good friends.

It's almost midnight and everyone else is asleep.  What's your Christmas wish?  His wish is as good as mine... http://bosanchez.ph/

Merry Christmas and Noche Buena (spanish for good night)! :D

Old Foe and New Friends

Wow, I am overwhelmed by the number of comments I got when I was away. I lost track of your posts, I say thank you for dropping by (and leaving a comment).

Today, I had to reflect on this:

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

An old foe just appeared asking to be friends (ok, on facebook). Funny that all these years, I haven't had the heart to forgive and forget her.