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January Isaac-Bodlovic a.k.a Lumen: Not Just a Pretty Face

The laundry-conscious mama Lumen we saw on TV commercials wears two martial arts black belts – one for taekwondo and one for aikido.

We saw her lovely face on the boob tube in the role of Lumen, the worldly-wise and ingenious young wife and mom in the once-popular ad series of a detergent. Lumen is January Isaac a.k.a Sandra Gomez (her screen name).

She related that the “Lumen” commercial had contributed a lot to her popularity. However, she doesn’t want to think that it had made her an overnight sensation. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to be a series. I thought it was just one project. For some people, they don’t see what I’ve gone through. It really took some time. But I should give credit to Lumen because that character has really helped me.”

Just like Lumen, she speaks her mind when it comes to being practical. “I weigh things before I buy. I’m very fond of shoes; I like shoes that are unusual and I buy them especially if they’re sporty.”

Throwback photos of January Isaac (Sandra Gomez): Personal file

A martial arts expert

This lady is not just a pretty face. In real life, she weàrs two martial arts black belts – one for taekwondo and one for aikido. She was introduced to taekwondo at the age of 11 and took up serious training at 15. After two years, she added another sport – aikido.

“My appetite for the martial arts was enhanced when I started joining inter-school competitions,” she said.  Her dad, Pastor Isaac, has become her mentor in a contact sport. “My dad used to be active in martial arts when he was my age. He suggested that I should try it.” More than anything else, it’s more of physical fitness for her. She’s also a semi-vegetarian.

Aside from being a health buff, she’s an artist, too. She loves everything that involves the arts – music, painting (she paints a landscape and still life in watercolor and acrylic), reading literature/classic, and theatre. Her favorite painters are Renoir and Monet.

Since she was eight years old, she has been watching musical plays. “From then on, I started loving it,” she said. “But that’s not the path I’m being led to.” January has taken the path to show business instead. She joined showbiz in 1997 and did some action flicks. What makes her different is that she enjoys her sports and she used it as a vehicle to get into the movies.

However, she doesn’t want to be confined to just doing drama or action movies. As much as possible, she wants to be a character actress “somebody who can be different.” “I don’t want to be stereotyped. I want a little bit of everything,” she quipped. “For me, it’s boring if you stick to just one character. I want to be versatile because that’s the joy of acting.”

Her name, January, was taken by her mother Millicent Joy, after a movie character, January Wayne, in the movie Once Is Not Enough. She was born in Cagayan de Oro City and comes from a well-to-do family. She is the eldest in a brood of three. Her other siblings are Hillary and Erik.

What is her secret of success?

“Believing in the talent that God has given you. Invest in that. Some people have talents but they don’t flourish, they don’t nurture them. For me, I really take care of it,” said the articulate January.

The Bodlovic family in the USA. Courtesy: @januaryibodlovic IG account

Above everything else, she has a strong faith, being a Christian. “Faith sustains me, that no matter how difficult life becomes, I’ll be okay. Never lose your faith in God,” said January, who has been living in the United States with her husband Wade Bodlovic. The couple has two beautiful children Hunter and Harley.

#ThrowbackSeries #BlastfromthePast #SandraGomez #JanuaryIsaac #Lumen#peopletalk #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

Featured image: Courtesy @januaryibodlovic IG account

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Baler Adventure

The fascinating Sabang beach became our playground for three days. We enjoyed immensely playing with the waves. How many times did we fall but returned and continued to play with the waves?

I’ve always wanted to go to Baler in Aurora Quezon. I’ve been interested in the stories shared about the place. Back of my mind, “I’m not a surfer, not even an excellent swimmer. So, why the eagerness to go there?”

Baler is the capital of Aurora, a province popular for its natural wonders, pristine beaches, and surf-worthy waves, as well as its place in Philippine history and world cinema.

Without much planning, my family headed on a journey to Baler during the Holy Week break some years back. We traveled by land. First, we stayed overnight at the Harvest Hotel in Cabanatuan City. Then, from Cabanatuan City, we traversed the roads with the aid of GPS (geographical positioning system).

However, the GPS led us to the rough roads of Nueva Ecija and Aurora Province, crossed the shallow river to be able to hit the cemented roads leading to Baler proper. Indeed, the four and a half drive turned out to be an adventure! We were told that we should have taken the Pantabangan roads going to Baler.

Beautiful waves at Sabang beach.

The second challenge we faced was how to get a place to stay since most of the hotels and resorts were fully occupied by tourists. We continued to ask around until one gracious lady from the souvenir store referred us to her relative who has a transient house. In short, we were taken in for overnight accommodation.

Baler Boardwalk

After only 30 minutes of interval, the other nice lady from a transient house texted me that there was already an available air-conditioned room. So, we decided to transfer the next morning. We liked it there better since it was located on the beachfront, very convenient when we go swimming. We were truly lucky to get a decent place, and most importantly, we immensely enjoyed the fascinating Sabang beach!

Sabang beach is popular for being the surfers’ paradise.

Local and international travelers (surfers and non-surfers) are always captivated by the charm of Sabang beach. At first, you had this inner fear of being drowned.

But lo and behold, my daughter and I found ourselves playing with the waves. The vast beach shorelines became our playground. We laughed and anticipated every approaching wave to hit us. How many times did we fall but returned and continued to play with the waves?

Now, I understand, why surfers like it here; they are after the waves. They want to surf the waves! Thus, Sabang beach became the surfers’ paradise.

At the Manuel L. Quezon Monument.
Museo de Baler
The Baler Monument symbolizes the 400th Anniversary of Baler township, created by foremost installation artist Junyee. His design is composed of four pillars — representing Baler’s 400 years of history interconnected by horizontal bars.

Traveling creates new discoveries – from within yourself, the places you have been, the people you met along the way – all these make our journey truly a memorable one.

#TravelMoments #Baler #AuroraQuezonProvince #Philippines #ItsMoreFuninthePhilippines #travel #familybonding #HolyWeek #Lentenbreak #flashbackfriday #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

 

 

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How to look like a beauty queen

The ageless Gloria Diaz tells us her beauty regimen to maintain that Miss Universe look. She believes in the old adage that “you are as old as you look and feel, you are the age you are.”

 

Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz has retained that Miss Universe look after all these years. She conducts herself with flair and elan.

Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, who appeared as a guest star on Netflix’s hit series “Insatiable” and portrayed a character based on herself, has retained that Miss Universe look after all these years. Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Gloria believes in the old adage that “you are as old as you look and feel, you are the age you are.” What keeps her radiant is maintaining a lifestyle of moderation, meaning, not too much alcohol, not too much late night-outs, and adhering to the saying, “early to bed, early to rise.”

Just like other figure-conscious women, she stays fit by engaging in constant exercise and watching her diet. Every day she goes to the gym to flex some muscles and from time to time undergo a massage treatment to lessen the pain and stiffness of her body.

She doesn’t really follow any special diet, although she chooses to eat more fruits and vegetables. “Quite often, I also eat junk foods,” she admitted from the previous interview. She takes care of her hair by using fewer chemicals like hair spray and other similar stuff.

One of her stunning assets is her almost flawless skin. She scrubs her body with a loofah (a rough sponge) and sometimes had it done in the parlor. Then she applies lotion to her skin. But most importantly, she says, is to take lots of vitamins and calcium.

For her face, she makes sure that it’s clean before she goes to bed. “I only use heavy makeup when I’m shooting or taping. You can’t help that. Otherwise, I just apply a little bit of eye makeup and lipstick,” she tells.

Gloria Diaz in her winning moments as Miss Universe. Photos courtesy of philippineone.com

“It was worth a try,” she says of her experience in winning a Miss Universe title. “You must enter into it with an open mind that it’s not the be-all and end-all if you win or not win. Life goes on, and there can only be one winner. Fortunately, I came out on top.”

(Based on the exclusive interview in the old Mirror Weekly magazine by the same author)

Featured photo courtesy of gloria.diaz 69 on Instagram

#throwbackseries #waybackwednesday #upcloseandpersonal #beautyqueen #gloriadiaz #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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Coldplay & BTS ‘My Universe’ Single Out Today

Coldplay has released today their much-anticipated collaboration with BTS. My Universe, which was written by Coldplay and BTS and produced by Max Martin, is available to stream/download worldwide now.

The song’s official lyric video – which is available now – features handwritten lyrics from both groups, in both English and Korean.

 Coldplay has also teased the song’s Dave Meyers-directed official music video, as “coming very soon.”

My Universe follows Coldplay’s worldwide hit Higher Power as the second single to be taken from the band’s forthcoming album Music Of The Spheres (out October 15th).

Download images/artwork for media use: cldp.ly/MU-media

For more information, visit Coldplay.com.

Featured photo courtesy of James Marcus Haney x Heo Jae Young x Kim So Jung

#BTS #Coldplay #MyUniverse #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Atty. ‘Migs’ Nograles: Beauty comes from within

“If you’re happy and passionate about the things that you do, your aura will always show it,” shares Atty. Margarita “Migs” Bendigo Nograles.

Among our young lawyers today, 30-year-old Atty. Margarita “Migs” Bendigo Nograles has the three essential qualities that spell a lifetime success: beauty, brains, and the heart for public service.

Her positive aura is an outcome of waking up to the life that she wants to liven up with gusto. “If you’re happy and passionate about the things that you do, your aura will always show it,” she intimates.

“Conquer your fears and believe in yourself to follow your dreams and passion,” says Atty. Migs.

Migs takes care of her lovely face by cleaning it always. She makes it a point to remove her makeup after every working day. “I would say always remember to wash your face every night, moisturize, and put sunblock!” Her nighttime beauty must-haves are Clinique facial wash and toner, together with a moisturizer. “Some days, if I find the time, I get to go and have facials at Oroderm Davao.”

If there’s a particular motto on beauty that she believes in, it would be “Never compare beauty with anyone else. It all starts from within. Be comfortable with your own skin and never ever dress to impress others but only yourself,” shares Migs, the well-schooled partner-lawyer at Nograles Ilagan Sagarino Selgas Cayco Aban & Dabi Law (NISSCAD Law) based in Davao, offers legal services on civil law, criminal law, corporate law, family law, and taxation law.

Her beauty icons are Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Amal Clooney. The former is the youngest woman ever to serve in the US Congress, and the latter is a well-known barrister specializing in international law and human rights. “They are always just so perfectly dressed and perfectly demure in every way,” she quips.

At the home front, she admires her lovely mom Rhodora “Bebet” Bendigo-Nograles, sister Dr. Kristine Nograles-Hugo, and her sister-in-law, Marga who owns Kaayo Modern Mindanao.

“Be comfortable with your own skin and never ever dress to impress others but only yourself,” shares Migs.

Migs complements her beauty regimen with a healthy lifestyle. “I try not to eat a lot of salty food and make sure I lessen rice. But when I do eat rice, I make sure I use Oh Crop! Adlai rice. It’s the best!” she says.

Cooking and baking are her stress relievers. “Actually, it is my mom whom I idolize when it comes to that. What is just lacking is for her to start her own pastry store! She bakes every day just to share to friends and family complete with the entire packaging!” she exclaims.

When it comes to food, she loves Japanese food, seafood, but her comfort food will always be that popular Filipino chicken joy brand! From her hometown Davao, her favorite fruit is pomelo. “Have you tried it? If you haven’t, you must!” she urges. “Chocolate and strawberry, too, are pretty good here.”

Every day, she tries to run at least 30 minutes before she starts her day. “It keeps my mind and adrenaline running and gets me ready and pumped up for the day,” she discloses. “I work out (at least try to do so) every day for at least 30 minutes. If not, I find time to play badminton with friends.”

Migs has been active doing sports activities since she was young. “For example, I was part of the track and field team in High School and so I have always been very sporty. Nowadays, I do indoor cycling, running, and Zumba!” utters Migs, who acknowledges the fact that endorphins (the happiness hormones) make one happy. But most importantly, she says, “You have to listen to your body; when the body tells you to rest, you have to rest. Otherwise, everything else falls down.”

During this pandemic, Migs is coping well with her workout routine by setting up a small home gym – complete with treadmill, rower, indoor bike. “I just do a lot of cardio. If possible, I go with my friends to do badminton when I’m not too busy.”

After a hectic day, she unwinds by reading self-help books or books about stoicism. “It helps you keep intact with yourself. Otherwise, I call friends and catch up with the family,” she shares.

Ask Atty. Migs, the young lawyer’s new brand and her way of giving back.

What could be her biggest realization during this pandemic? “Life’s too short to have big regrets. You never know when you’re going to lose someone or when you’re going to go; so you have to make the most out of every day and live your life to the fullest. There’s no time for negativity or fear. Conquer your fears and believe in yourself to follow your dreams and passion.”

To know more about Atty. Migs Nograles, like and follow her official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/askattymigs.

#AttyMigsNograles #lawyer #AskAttyMigs #passion #moderndaywoman #successfulwoman #Davao #Philippines #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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ThrowbackSeries: Call him Doc Dekong

He’s been known as a brilliant man – doing well in philosophical writings and teaching. Not resting on his laurels, he further studied The Research Process at the University of Manchester.

This is one subject that is very “personal” to me. He is not only a friend but someone whom I respect and look up to. Our solid connection perhaps is becoming both a product of a college campus paper called The Catalyst, the official student publications of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Up to this day, I treasure a copy of The Catalyst Journal of Ideas, wherein he analyzed the subject of “The Writer and His Conscience.” Says he: “Every thinker or writer must take a distinctively principled and firm position whenever he writes and/or theorizes his craft or his literature.”

I’ve known him to be a brilliant man – doing well in philosophical writings and teaching. Not resting on his laurels, he further studied The Research Process at the University of Manchester. When he decided to run for the presidency of PUP, I was delighted and prayed for his victory.

After the late Doc Prudente, this is my second time to be featuring another (former) president of PUP, Dr. Emmanuel C. De Guzman, or Doc Dekong to his friends and associates.  It is my honor to be sharing this piece with all the readers of Ruby’s Precious Moments:

What was your profession before becoming the president of PUP?

I was taken in by the Department of Sociology right after graduation. So I started teaching right away in 1991 but I had other jobs like writing scripts for television for Business and Leisure in Sunshine TV. I also worked as an NGO writer. That’s basically my thing – writing and teaching.

How did you cope up with the changes since 1991?

It’s not entirely different because I’ve been working in the same environment in PUP but the lifestyle has already changed since I wouldn’t go out of the house without bodyguards. You know being the president, I have to go out with security.

Do you have a militant student population?

Yes, the school is known for that. In fact, when I was a student, I took part in activism in PUP but not the more radical type.

What are the obstacles or challenges that you encounter now that you are the new president of PUP?

Working with my bosses as president. Formerly, I was the Director of Research in the university and now I have to adjust to the way I address them and the way that they address me. The challenge actually is to coordinate the university to follow my league towards my vision for the university.

What kind of lifestyle does the university president live?

Actually, I’m a sports fan. I’m not good at sports but I love watching and collecting data and following some teams in basketball. But I do play table tennis and basketball as well.

Among the PBA teams, which one is your favorite?

The team of James Yap, BMEG, I only watch PBA nowadays when it is already the championship.

What is your daily schedule?

Basically, I’m preparing myself for work, traveling to school with my bodyguards, the convoy of vehicles. They have to be with me 24/7 even when I go out in the mall with my family.

Do the students asking for lower tuition fee rates have something to do with the need for security?

We cannot anymore lower the tuition fee rates because they are already too low. It is already Php12.00 per unit. No, there had been incidents in PUP that already took the lives of some officials like the ambush of the Vice President for Administration, and even before that, there were other incidents that every time the leadership changes, some of these things happened and I think that it is not only in PUP where these forms of violence happened but in other state universities as well.

How do you balance time for family, friends, and social activities outside your job?

It is very difficult to balance my time because I lost a lot of reading time since I became president. I cannot read as much as I want and my time with my family is mixed with work. My wife for instance would wait for me in the mall when I go out of the office to buy something so definitely my time with my family has been diminished drastically.

How many kids do you have?

I have three kids, one is done with college. I got kids early.

Do you have any favorite books or authors?

I’m a sociologist so I used to read academic books, sociology, theories for instance, but I also read novels. My favorite book is The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky. He is a novelist and a social commentator.

Who has been your greatest inspiration behind all of your achievements to date?

There is no single person but if you are really asking me, well I think it is Doc  Prudente, the former president of PUP. I was a student when he was the president and he was the one who took me to PUP to work as a member of the academe.

Are there other school presidents who serve as inspiration?

No one in particular.

What advice can you give to the students? To those who will be given scholarships, what important factors do they need to go through?

As a sociologist, I always tell my students to not just be limited within the school or I mean classroom. There are other things to learn from outside the school and they could participate in other activities like discussing issues out there, even joining rallies. But they should not forget when they should not abandon or neglect their studies.

What changes have you implemented or want to implement?

The first major change that I want to institute is the organization or classification of the colleges. We have 16 colleges in the university and I want to merge some to lessen the number of colleges and to rationalize the discipline within the colleges.

What is PUP most known for academically?

Accountancy is the academic niche that we have and Engineering is coming in as another area of excellence so I think we could do well in these professions.

How many campuses do you have?

We have 22 campuses including the main campus in Sta. Mesa all over Luzon. We don’t have one in Visayas and Mindanao.

Are there any plans of opening new PUP campuses?

I was planning to when I was running for the position but I just found out now that there was a memorandum on building new campuses from CHED. The Commission on Higher Education doesn’t want to create any more local satellites.

Why should one choose PUP?

Because we are in the Top 3 state universities in the country and we are the cheapest, Php12.00 per unit, you can get a quality education for such a small fee. The regular load of a student per semester only costs around Php800 to Php1,000 pesos. Three units per subject so that is around Php36.00 pesos per subject and we have two semesters per year. Summer classes are not mandatory. They are for those with deficiencies and regular summer enrollment.

For admissions or applications, are they available online or should they go to campus?

We have computerized enrollment, even computerized in giving out of grades, so they can enroll online, pay in the bank. We are all computerized now in PUP.

For transferees or new students who want to enroll in PUP, what procedures do they have to go through?

They should go to the Admission Office personally because you are a transferee but once you get into the system, you can avail the computerized system that we have. But we have a very strict standard in accepting transferees. The transferee must have a 2.0 average and no failing grade.

On sports, do you have plans for PUP to join university games? 

We are a member of SCUAA and this is composed of state colleges and universities in Metro Manila but I wish that we can join UAAP.

What is there to look forward to in PUP?

I have been meeting the faculty of the different colleges and doing consultations with the students and leaders of the studentry.  I think the change is that we are veering more towards improving research in the university not just the “instructional”  but more on producing the materials that we teach – research and production of ideas.

By Ruby Asoy-Lebajo

Photos by Jowi Morales

(Based on the exclusive published article in the Style RPA, and excerpts of the interview from one of the episodes of Style RPA TV)

#EmmanuelDeGuzman #Dekong #FormerPUPPresident #PUP #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

                                 

 

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ThrowbackSeries: Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

The late President Magsaysay’s commitment to the Filipinos didn’t die with him. With Jun Magsaysay, he left behind a son to carry on the legacy.

Former Senator Ramon Banzon Magsaysay, Jr., is a self-made businessman, hardworking, God-fearing, compassionate, and, in every way, the son of the late Philippine President Ramon del Fiero Magsaysay and Luz Banzon-Magsaysay. He is the man of the masses and for the masses.

He was born in Manila in 1938. His father’s rise to the presidency taught Jun and his two sisters, Milagros and Teresita, the virtues of integrity and honesty and to have a strong passion for the welfare of the common man. Inside Malacanang, the Magsaysay’s lived humbly, untouched by selfish ambitions and unmarred by the lust for power.

With President Magsaysay’s sudden death in 1957, the 19-year-old Jun inherited greater responsibilities that enabled him to recognize the value of perseverance and hard work. He had to step out of his father’s protective shadow and assume the role of man of the house.

He spent most of his academic years at the De La Salle College, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He pursued his academic studies at the Harvard School of Business Administration in Boston, Massachusetts, and in New York’s University Graduate School of Business Administration. He returned to the country armed with skills and knowledge that would later become a powerful tool in shaping and developing a major industry in the country.

Magsaysay Jr. pioneered the country’s cable television business.  Today, with over 550 cable operators nationwide, cable television has turned into a billion-a-year industry.

During his years in the Senate, he worked for laws to improve the living conditions of the majority of the Filipino people. His programs and policies for the development of cooperatives and small enterprises are geared toward encouraging ordinary Filipinos to make use of their individual capabilities as they strive to attain their socio-economic goals.

Indeed, the late President Magsaysay’s commitment to the Filipinos didn’t die with him. With Jun Magsaysay, he left behind a son to carry on the legacy.

I asked him during a past interview: Is the state of Philippine politics maturing?

“I think so. The birth of people power in our country, which we shared with other nations everywhere, saw the emancipation of our country from politics of patronage to a system of governance where the voice of the people is no longer ignored. My mission is to further accelerate the country’s economic development and ensure that the masses of the people shall be the principal beneficiaries of growth,” shared the former senator, now 83 years old.

(Excerpts from a feature article published on Ahead magazine by the same author)

Featured photo courtesy of Ramon Magsaysay Jr. FB community page

#SenatorRamonMagsaysay #profile #throwbackseries #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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Sentro Botanikos: An eco-haven to nourish your soul and appetite

A place where you can go to relax, recharge, and enjoy organic farm-made meals, and more.

Nourish your appetite with heart-warming, healthy food and your soul with the captivating environment — a sure way to get over the work-week stress.

The invigorating and lush surroundings of Sentro Botanikos.

It was one weekend when my family was introduced to this fledgling eco-farm and café in Alfonso, Cavite. It’s near to my in-law’s ArtFarm property also located in Alfonso.

The urged to eat good food for dinner had led us to Sentro Botanikos. It was getting dark and we didn’t find it right away the location. The signage was unnoticeable and we almost missed the gate leading to the homey restaurant. We even thought that the restaurant was closed. Just the same, we proceeded. As we alighted from the car, we were greeted with a tender breeze from the cold night air that filled the entire farm.

With my family and in-laws.

As my eyes wander, I found the facilities austere yet very relaxing, it makes you breathe with its wide-open spaces and surrounded by nature. The surprise is in the food they offer – only farm-based meals and farm-made products. Its principles are centered around community, sustainability, vegetarian and environmentally-friendly choices. They also started to produce farm-made food items for everyone to enjoy.

Appetizing Adobo ni Lola.
Delicious Palabok with seaweeds on top.

Our food choices for dinner included palabok, adobo ni lola, sisig, bulalo, and turon ala mode. All the dishes were delicious! But we were greatly surprised with bulalo, on how they made it so flavorful! Bulalo is normally made with beef shanks, and gives you a heavy feeling after a meal. I really did not know that a vegetarian bulalo can be so tasting and healthy! Most times, they said, they use a wheat/soy fillet as a replacement to “meat.”

And they also shared some farm-made products that make their dishes appetizing, like the vegan seasoning. I bought one bottle which will last for a month and plant-based M’chon sauce similar to an all-around sauce under the Solera Botanikos label.

Delectable Turon Ala Mode.

With its plant-based meals, Sentro Botanikos has been added to our list of go-to-restaurants when in Alfonso, Cavite. We are delighted to have discovered this new place, most especially beneficial to my hubby, who is a vegetarian for 10 years now. We are always on the lookout for similar establishments offering fresh, healthy, delicious, and vegan meals.

I am not a hardcore vegan, but because of my hubby’s influence, my daughter and I have learned to embrace a vegetarian lifestyle on a 50-50 ratio (meaning: we are semi-vegetarian and forgo pork, but still consuming chicken, beef, fish, and egg). When at home, we only cooked plant-based meals, and when we eat outside, that’s the only time that my daughter and I eat meat dishes.

It has been said that following a plant-based diet is healthy for our bodies and the environment. A vegan diet can be one of the healthiest ways to live. Plant-based diets should contain plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Because vegan diets often rely heavily on these healthy staples, they tend to be higher in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber. Healthy vegan diets are abundant with vitamins B1, C, and E, folic acid, magnesium, and iron while also being low in cholesterol and saturated fats.

Homey-feel inside the restaurant cafe.

No wonder, every year more and more people are making the decision to go vegan, and for good reason! A big lifestyle change is easier to sustain if you wholeheartedly believe in your decision.

Good thing, more and more vegan restaurants are opening and catering to the growing health-conscious Filipinos.

Sentro Botanikos is located at 217 Buck Estate Road, Brgy. Buck Estate Alfonso, Cavite 4123. It is open from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m.

Featured photo: Flavorful Vegan Bulalo

#sentrobotanikos #wideopenspaces #farmmade #organicPh #AlfonsoCavite

 

 

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The best travel buddies

Priscilla and Sammanta Anechka Estrada have become the best travel buddies.

Traveling has become celebrity mom Priscilla Meirelles de Almeida-Estrada’s favorite way of bonding with daughter Sammanta Anechka. The Brazilian beauty queen believes she is forming a strong friendship that will become milestones in their lives.

“I like bringing her around as much as possible,” Meirelles shares during a shoot at Lio Tourism Estate in El Nido, Palawan. “She’s got great energy, is fun to be with, and likes to explore things. I also love to take pictures of her. She’s like my baby best friend.”

Anechka, now 6 years old, her daughter with husband actor John Estrada, is bubbly, adorable and the life in any group. During the pictorial, she liked to crack jokes every now and then to the delight of the crew.

“Family is like the closest,” says the young girl. “I like playing with Mommy. Meirelles prefers seeing her daughter possess a vivacious persona, because, “I’m afraid if she’s quiet, there might be something wrong with her.” Nowadays, she counts her own mother and Anechka as her top travel companions.

The Estradas started going on trips when Anechka was just a year old. Back then, the little girl would often get airsick—but not anymore: “That never stopped us from going places,” she explains.

The family has gone to the United States, Australia, Japan, and China. Now, they are exploring the Philippines, having visited provinces such as Cebu, Bataan, and Palawan. They like going on road trips whenever time permits, and they stay frequently at their property in Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan. Their dream vacation is a European tour.

Priscilla’s bucket list

Now that she often travels with her daughter, she has become mindful of her child’s needs: “I always bring medicines. I make sure to have travel insurance as well. It covers everything; you’ll never know what will happen. I make her drink safe water always.”

When she used to travel alone, she was more spontaneous and had a totally different rhythm. “I didn’t observe proper meals, because I didn’t want to waste time,” says the articulate mother, who can speak four languages, namely English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. She’s now even learning French.

Enjoying the scenery at El Nido Cove

“I love traveling. I believe it’s the best way to learn about, to adapt to people, their culture, and their situation. It allows you to grow as a person. It’s also the best way to spend your hard-earned money. It brings the learnings with you,” she explains.

Top destinations

For Priscilla, her top five destinations in terms of nature and beauty are Palawan, Boracay, Batanes, the Ilocos region, and La Union. In terms of cityscapes, her top choices are Brazil, Australia, Austria, Florida, and Japan.

Priscilla at Lio Beach

Her travel bucket list includes Greece, Rome, Egypt, the Caribbean, countries where you can experience the Northern Lights—such as Alaska, parts of Canada, the southern half of Greenland, Iceland, northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland— and the Holy Land.

Motherhood becomes her

Priscilla admits that motherhood was the best thing that ever happened to her: “As a woman, it made me kinder and more aware of people’s feelings. It also made me more patient, more tolerant, and more compassionate toward others. And the best part of all, it made me a mom.”

What could be the best part of being a mother? “The best part of being a mom is to be able to love with all my heart, unconditionally, without being scared of getting hurt, because for the first time, it’s not about me—it’s all about her and for her.”

After seven years of marriage, she believes that “putting God in the center of the marriage and respecting each other is the secret of a happy married life.” And their favorite way of bonding together is playing golf.

What is her dream for Anechka? “I dream that in spite of whatever path in life she chooses to take, she is certain of always putting God first, never forget to smile, and have fun along the way because the best part of a journey is not the destination, but the journey itself.”

Indeed, since her first embrace, Anechka has experienced love, joy, nurturing, and protection that are beyond explanation. In fact, she named her daughter Anechka because it means “God’s grace,” while the Sammanta is a Brazilian name.

Travel offers people a chance to shed off their normal, everyday selves. When this mother and daughter head out together, they deepen their relationship with an adventure they can share together. Definitely, Priscilla Meirelles de Almeida-Estrada and her beloved Sammanta Anechka always have a blast.

(The writer went on a trip to Lio Beach with the Experience Travel and Living magazine team. Photos By Phillip Caesar Salting And Winstone Arradaza)

#LioBeach #momanddaughter #PriscillaandAnechkaEstrada #ElNidoPalawan #Philippines #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Rainy Day Comfort Food

Cooking is one of the rainy day activities that we can do as a form of bonding at home. The joy of sharing good food with our loved ones is truly incomparable.

These two dishes – Champorado and Arroz Caldo —  are what we always crave during the rainy season – our comfort food, so to speak. The cuddle weather makes us wanting for dishes that are hot, delicious, and with a thick creamy soup. Just imagine enjoying a warm bowl of these flavorful dishes.

We used Adlai rice for the arroz caldo and champorado recipes. Adlai rice is the healthier choice — gluten-free, high in dietary fiber, and rich in protein and calcium. It also contains minerals such as iron and has a low glycemic index that means that it has low sugar levels and is good for those who are diabetic.

Filipinos love rice; it’s a staple in every family’s menu. But with Oh Crop! Adlai rice no need to feel guilty every time you have that extra serving of Arroz Caldo and champorado. It will keep you full longer and will make you feel less hungry after hours compared to regular glutinous rice.

According to Tribune World of Flavors columnist Dolly Dy-Zulueta, she was surprised at how economical Oh Crop! Adlai rice when she cooked Arroz Caldo recently. “I was surprised at how matipid Adlai is. You need only a little because it keeps absorbing the liquid that you cook it in so that it doubles in amount. “

It’s important to be health-conscious now that we are in a pandemic. Health is wealth and as long as you take care of yourself by staying fit and eating right, you’ll be able to save yourself from hospital and medicine bills later on. More than ever, we have to make sure that we, and our families, are making efforts to stay healthy. This isn’t the time to let up on our commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Delicious champorado. Photo courtesy of Oh Crop
  • Adlai Champorado (By Chef Wado)

Ingredients:

5 cups water

5 tablets of Tablea

¾ cup Condensed milk

¼ cup Muscovado sugar

2 tbsp Desiccated coconut

1 cup Washed Oh Crop! Adlai

Procedure:

Boil water

Add Tablea

Stir until the Tablea dissolve

Add washed Adlai rice

Add Muscovado sugar

Pour the condensed milk

Add desiccated coconut

Wait until it boils

Serve

Topping time: Top it with sliced bananas

Add condensed milk

Enjoy!

Mouthwatering Arroz Caldo. Photo courtesy of Dolly Dy-Zulueta
  • Adlai Arroz Caldo

1 white onion, chopped

2 tbsp ginger, julienned

2 cloves garlic, minced Cook in 2 tbsp olive oil

Add 150g chicken breast

Add 2 cups washed Adlai

Cook until fragrant

Add 4 cups water 2 chicken cubes

Let it boil for 10 mins or until Adlai is al dente

Season with fish sauce and pepper

Garnish with boiled egg, crunchy garlic, and spring onion

Serve and enjoy!

#champorado #arrozcaldo #comfortfood #rainyseason #Philippines #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph