HOMEPAGE

Thursday, February 11, 2010

A Colorful Life

By Robbie Pangilinan

Adlai Peter Antonio adds color to the people around him, on their hair that is, and in the process, in their lives as well.


Adlai, known as the son of “Hairdresser to the Stars” and owner/creative director of Salon de Manila (SDM) Pin Antonio, is carving his own niche in the business. He represented the Antonios’ famous salon as an interpreter of a hair collection in the Davines World Style Contest and was recognized as one of the best hairstylists in Asia last year. He represented the country in the 2009 Best of Asia World Tour conducted by Matrix, the top brand in hairstyling in the world.



The International Culinary Arts graduate, just in his early 20s, is already a master of precision cutting and creative coloring. Of course, he is guided by no less than his mom, as well as SDM’s head colorist, Lilia Lacbayen. Adlai and Pin develop their own styles, colors and cuts. They usually take inspiration from world-famous Vidal Sassoon where they have taken several courses.



For Adlai, hair color enhances a beautiful and edgy cut. Proper positioning of the highlights to blend with the base color makes a style perfect. And this stylist to famous celebrities Claudine Baretto-Santiago, Kyla and Carmina Villaroel, among others, is a perfectionist when it comes to hairstyling and coloring.



“Everything should be precise. Everything has a formula for me, hindi dapat hula-hula lang,” Adlai says.

Adlai sees no limit to the creativity one can put on in hair coloring. But for 2010, he wants it bold and stylish. He recommends mahogany brown with a touch of ash for the base color, this shade, he says, softens the features of the face. Highlights can be any color that blends with the base.



Browns are great for base for Filipinos who are usually dark-haired. Reddish brown, ash brown, tobacco brown, and SDM’s own shade called Louis Vuitton brown are among Adlai’s favorites.

According to Adlai, there are specific colors that match certain skin tones, but it is always the image the client wants to project that is important. This is where the expertise and creativity of the hairstylist comes in. And SDM boasts of its well-researched, first-class and personal service that takes care of individual client’s hair care needs.



“I always take extra care in everything I do for my clients. That’s our SOP in Salon de Manila. We bring a lot of colors, a lot of styles, but not to extent that we damage the hair. We take good care of our clients, that’s our commitment in our craft,” Adlai shares.



Adlai always experiments with different colors on his own hair. Reddish brown for the base with blue, violet and red highlights blending with each other is his favorite formula. “It may sound peculiar to mix these colors, but the positioning is what makes it look good. Only professionals can properly position the colors, like our stylists in SDM,” says Adlai, who admits he is not afraid to try and be bold about his style.



Colored hair is not just fashionable, it also helps make one look younger and fresher. It even takes the stress off one’s face. Of course, if you have white hair, Adlai recommends putting on color every month. But if it’s just for style, you can change colors every two or three months. Strong chemicals in some hair coloring products can damage the hair. But Adlai assures that SDM uses milk-based products with low peroxide, and they have their unique but secret treatment that does not damage the hair. “That’s our look, that’s our style. That’s Salon de Manila. We make a difference,” Adlai says.



With Adlai adding color not just to his clients’ hair but to the image of SDM, the famous salon of the stars is sure to be more successful and fashionable. #

Sunday, February 7, 2010

A Lovelier Lovely Rivero

By Robbie Pangilinan

She had one of the prettiest faces in the famous That’s Entertainment show, making her name truly befitting. Lovely Rivero was captivatingly lovely back in the ‘80s when she shone her brightest. And up until now, in her midlife, she remains beautiful.



She admits that there were times when she looked in the mirror and saw an ugly and old woman. She started putting on pounds and her usual exercise and diet did not seem to work as well as they used to. Stubborn fat appeared in unflattering places. Her clothes did not fit anymore. She felt depressed and lost interest in making herself beautiful.



With the new year coming in, Lovely decided to do something new.



“The new year always gives us hope and renewed enthusiasm to start fresh and to try and be better persons. I felt it is a good time to have a better body and to start feeling good about myself again,” Lovely shares.



And so, as 2010 started, Lovely went all out. She underwent a total body liposculpture procedure.



“I wanted to feel good about my body and myself again. In showbusiness, you have to look good and look younger than your age because that is part of the package. Looking good is an obligation and a responsibility. But, even as a regular person, I believe that when you look good, you feel good and you become more productive because you are confident, energetic and full of life,” Lovely says.



Dr. Claudine Roura, the pioneer of the VASER® Lipo System in the Philippines, was more than happy to help Lovely regain her figure. Dr. Roura did the procedure herself—removing fat and sculpting Lovely’s arms, back, abdomen, hips, inner and outer thighs, legs and butt. Dr. Roura’s Contours Advanced Face and Body Sculpting Institute is the first and only cosmetic surgery center in the Philippines certified to do VASER High Definition Liposculpture. Lovely knew she was in good hands.



“I’m happy beyond words,” says Lovely. “The little pain and discomfort brought about by the procedure was well worth it.”



Dr. Roura targeted the areas of Lovely’s body that needed sculpting and contouring. “She did the procedure with such precision and competence! She did not only trim down my arms, she shaped it to the point that people now notice that my shoulders are in better shape. I never had the guts to wear sleeveless clothes because I have always been conscious of my arms but now, I’m totally into tube and halter tops,” Lovely beams.



The star of numerous films did her research before deciding to undergo the procedure. She studied several cosmetic doctors, read about new technologies of removing body fat, and looked around for the best professional body care in the country.



“I chose Contours because I read the credentials of Dr. Roura. Her training from the U.S.A. confirmed that she knows what she is doing. I also felt special because she and her staff took time to really find out my needs. She planned every step of the procedure to make sure that we both knew what was going to happen and the outcome that we should expect. She explained every detail to me and answered all my questions honestly. Contours treats patients with importance and leaves nothing to chance so I am very comfortable with their team. True enough, I made the right choice. Dr. Roura is not just a great doctor, she is an artist as well,” Lovely says happily.



Asked whether she was not contented with her body before, Lovely answered that she is thankful for what God has given her and believes that enhancements and improvements are part of taking care of her body. For Lovely though, cosmetic procedures are never a remedy for any deep seated insecurities or emotional or mental imbalance that one may have. “You must first be a ‘whole’ person inside so that whatever you do to improve your outside appearance can complement what or who you are inside,” Lovely shares.



The actress reveals that she is a simple, low maintenance person. Her beauty regimen is simple as well. She goes for regular facials, only wears make-up when necessary, and never forgets to clean her face every day. She also uses a moisturizer and sunblock. For her body, now that Dr. Roura has made it almost perfect again, Lovely promises to maintain it by doing yoga and playing badminton. She is likewise trying to live a healthy lifestyle—she does not smoke and only drinks during social occasions.

The now lovelier Lovely wants other women and men to experience feeling good about themselves, too. She highly recommends Contours to her friends, she even distributed brochures to her shows abroad.


Lovely has this to say to all the women out there who need a little "freshening up": “If you think undergoing a cosmetic procedure will help you look good and feel better about yourself, do not hesitate. Go to a reputable clinic such as Contours and talk it over with the doctor. This might be the best gift that you will give to yourself. I made that choice, and I am very happy with my decision.”

A Partnership That Changes Fears Into Solutions





By Robbie Pangilinan





When Diliman Foundation, Inc. and Unitech Educational Program Corporation started their partnership in 2009, many had fears. Students started out with technological fears of using the computer. But, on February 6, 2010, the first batch of graduates reaps the rewards of their hard work, their fears now motivational solutions.



Several months ago, most of the students had zero knowledge in computer operations and applications, many were familiar only with PC games and YM (Yahoo! Messenger). These students can now navigate and make use of the different tools of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. They can now generate their own web page creations, manipulate graphics and image enhancements through Adobe Photoshop and enjoy movies they have created in their Adobe Flash modules.



Unitech, a family corporation that serves quality IT education to poor but deserving Filipino students through its accredited IT institutions, has helped hundreds of course participants enhance their skills through intensive hands-on exercises under the guidance of expert instructors. Unitech decided to partner with DFI through the Diliman Computer Technology Institute (DCTI) because the two corporations one belief: that poverty is not a hindrance in getting premium education for those who are determined and willing to learn.



Unitech and DCTI hope to prepare, nurture and guide the Filipino youth through education and technology. Their affordable IT literacy training gives the economically underprivileged the chance to be at par with global standards and global market demands. Unitech and DCTI equip the youth with powerful tools in approaching fast-paced technology that not only enable them to be competitive in facing the rigorous demand of higher learning but also boosts their self-esteem.



Besides sharing the same vision, Unitech chose DCTI because the institution can customize their IT literacy training program to meet the requirements of public school students, the out-of-school youth, as well as professionals. DCTI has the most number of laboratories that can accommodate at least 40 students per laboratory, with one computer per student. DCTI’s 357 computers in its strategic Commonwealth campus are matched by its faculty members who have the required competency level to conduct and implement Unitech’s training modules



This partnership has a long way to go. Plans for expansion are under way. By February 7, 2010, right after the first graduation, DCTI and Unitech will launch the Makati Computer Literacy Training Program and by March 7, the Novaliches Computer Literacy Training Program will be opened at the Diliman Preparatory School (DPS) grounds.



With the initiative of DPS President and former Senator Nikki Coseteng, DCTI and Unitech will reach out to other cities and municipalities in the country that need Computer Literacy Trainings, especially the public high schools.

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This partnership has changed fears into solutions. In turn, it has changed the lives of its students. And through the partnership’s Community Services and Relations projects, many more fears will be solutions, many more loves will be changed.

DCTI-Unitech holds first graduation






By Robbie Pangilinan, Contributor




Diliman Computer Technology Institute (DCTI) and Unitech Educational Program Corporation held its first graduation on February 6, 2010 at 9 am with 250 students successfully finishing the Computer Literacy Training Program.



Quezon City Councilor Julian Coseteng delivered the opening remarks while Diliman Educational Corporation (DEC) OIC and IT Head Mr. Jade Deinla gave the keynote speech on behalf of DEC President and former senator Nikki Coseteng. Mr. Perry Coseteng, DCTI Executive Director, said delivered the closing remarks.



The graduates finished seven modules including Microsoft XP-Operating System, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, HTML, Adobe Photoshop, and Flash.


The program is just the first of DCTI and Unitech’s Community Services and Relations projects. Right after the first graduation, DCTI and Unitech will launch the Makati Computer Literacy Training Program and by March 7, the Novaliches Computer Literacy Training Program will be opened at the Diliman Preparatory School (DPS) grounds.



With the initiative of Nikki Coseteng, DCTI and Unitech plan to bring the Computer Literacy Training Program to cities and municipalities in the country, especially the public high schools.



DCTI is the country’s only Open Source training and certification institute that is authorized by the Open Source Technology Association of the Philippines to conduct programs, offer courses, issue certifications to qualified practitioners, promote free Open Source software in the Philippines and market the training programs to students and corporate clients.



Unitech, on the other hand, is a family corporation that serves quality IT education to poor but deserving Filipino students through its accredited IT institutions. Unitech has helped hundreds of course participants enhance their skills through intensive hands-on exercises under the guidance of expert instructors.



Other guests during the graduation were Unitech CEO and President Mark Ermund Fajardo, Unitech VP for operations Ernest Fajardo, DCTI Project Coordinator Ferdie Santos, and GMA7 talent Joanne Pangilinan who livened the event with songs.