Salon de Manila’s Adlai Antonio The Son Shines, Too

IT’S time for the son to rise.

Twenty-three year-old Adlai Peter Antonio makes his momma proud by making his own name in the hairdstyling industry.

Adlai’s mom is no less than “Hairdresser to the Stars” Pin Antonio, owner and creative director of the posh Salon de Manila.

Adlai was chosen recently to represent the country as one of the best hairstylists in Asia for the “Best of Asia by World Tour” conducted by a world famous brand in hairstyling held in Macau last month.

His first break, though, was being tapped as one of the interpreters of a Hair Collection at a World Style Contest last year in manila where he first showed the world his mastery of precision cutting and creative coloring.

Since then, there is no turning back for this International Culinary Arts graduate. He is sought after by celebrities and and famous artists. “People expect a lot from me when they find out that I am the son of Pin Antonio. I am so proud of my mom but I hope that one day, I would be known for my own brand of artistry and creativity in the field of hairstyling,” Adlai said.

Adlai explains that his mom personally taught him and from these learnings, he infused ideas of his own.

“From my voguish imagination and the things I learned from my mom, I try to create one-of-a-kind styles that are real, daring and edgy,” Adlai proudly said.

Cooking was his first love and Adlai was reluctant at first to try hairstyling.

“But since my mom is in it, I tried giving it a shot. It felt good. Creativity in hairstyling, I guess, runs in the blood of the Antonios,” he chuckled.

Adlai said he realized that precision haircutting and creative coloring are similar to cooking.

“The chef prepares a dish for the customer, provide just the right ingredients to make the dish sumptuous so that the client would keep coming back because the chef has made him happy. The same thing with hairstyling, we try to make our clients happy and satisfied, we are passionate in our desire so that they will not only look good and feel good. The only time we can say that we did a great job is when the clients are happy and satisfied with our services,” Adlai said.

Guided by one of his mentors, Salon de Manila head colorist Lilia Lacbayen, Adlai continues to wow the crowd and making his momma proud.

Salon de Manila: A Marriage of Art and Passion

FOR Salon de Manila, hairstyling is not just an art.
Salon de Manila owner and creative
director Pin Antonio says they espouse kalokagathia, a concept that marries
physical beauty and moral value believing that these two are deeply linked.
The ultimate hair salon for the
stars and celebrities, Salon de Manila is known for bringing elegance and style
and boasts of an unmatched pool of artists with mastery of beauty despite their
diverse sense of style.
Their lineup includes Antonio’s own
son, Adlai, who is a genius in coloring; Gary Lumapas, who is known for his
magical spontaneity; Salve Ones, who is a favorite for her effortless and
natural styling techniques and Joemar Miranda for his sophisticated cuts.
Antonio says the Salon de Manila
team puts premium on passion over fame.
“We teach our team how to be in
touch with their own strengths as stylists so they could find growth in the
business. It’s not only a way to boost their career but also integral in the development
of the beauty industry in general,” she says.
Her son, Adlai, took after his
mom’s example and is now making a name for himself in hair coloring. Adlai was recently
chosen to represent the Philippines as one of the best hairstylists in Asia for “BEST OF ASIA BY WORLD TOUR” conducted by a
world famous brand in hairstyling in Macau last May. With his
trendsetting hair coloring and precision haircutting techniques, Adlai is now
well-respected as one of the most promising trendsetters in the industry.
For Lumapas, one of Salon de Manila’s best
stylists, it is the client’s confidence that he passionately works on.
“When I achieve a look that brings
out the client’s confidence then that’s the perfect beauty,” Lumapas said.
This furniture and architectural enthusiast
says he could only do so much as styling new looks is concerned because people
normally appreciate beauty the longer they get exposed to it because they get
more comfortable with the style.
Ones, on the other hand, revels in
her signature simplicity in styling so she could bring out the genuine glamour
of a person saying her collaboration with the client makes beauty done in
harmony.
The same is true with stylist
Miranda who is the elite, prim and proper and the seemingly reserved stylist of
Salon de Manila.
“The person’s beauty is defined not
only by the façade but by the X-factor,” Miranda says. His style is
sophistication, glamour and elegance all rolled into one. He is also
about augmenting looks.
“Enhance beauty by enhancing the
person’s factor,” adds Miranda.
The diversity of perspectives of their stylists makes Salon
De Manila a solid and progressive industry leader.
Antonio boasts of their team that
aims for social perfection and social dimension.
Antonio, herself, continues to
consistently upgrade her skills and techniques by regularly taking courses at
Vidal Sassoon in London at least once a year and passing on these knowledge to her team of stylists.
“It is passion that fuels Salon de
Manila. Our clients are, thus, assured that they will be attended to by an
extremely talented bunch of stylists and an incomparable service that could be
done only by people who are dedicated and passionate about making them look and
feel good,” Antonio beamed.

Big role for PANGILINAN

Robbie Pangilinan, former Mktg Head of TATAP ( TABLE
TENNIS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES ) and PR Manager of former Senator Nikki
Coseteng, has been appointed as the
official Press Relations Officer by ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY (ADMU) Athletic
Director Richard Palou for the 8TH National Inter- scholastic Table
Tennis international Championships to lead this big event with a good multi-
media exposure.

Pangilinan was known to be a PBA sports writer, AVP Director
and Sports Columnist. Pangilinan, A nephew
of SBP President Manny Pangilinan, also organize chess, table tennis and
billiards tournaments in Metro Manila.

FEATURED AT MANILA STANDARD TODAY JULY 29, 2009

Diliman Prep students 100% safe against swine flu

STUDENTS of the Diliman Preparatory School (DPS) are now 100% safe against the dreaded H1N1 virus with the school’s acquisition of new high-tech thermal scanners.

With
the purchase, DPS has become the very first school in the Philippines
to possess the said screening machine, in its effort to protect its
students against the swine flu disease.

DPS
President Anna Dominique “ Nikki” Coseteng said the new thermal
scanners were bought a week ago and would be operational within the
week.

“We will be screening all students, school employees,
parents and visitors within the premises. The scanners will be
positioned at the front gates and exit of the school,” Coseteng
explained.

The former Senator said the school invested P2 million for the two scanners.
Department of Health (DoH0 representative Renato Ongcoy; Mylene Concepcion, of the Department of Education, Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista City Executive Officer Rufino Nonoy Co and Philippine Sports Commission Cesar Pradas were on hand to witness the unveiling of DPS’ Artech Thermal Scanner.

Through Ongcoy, Health Secretary Francisco Duque expressed his gratitude to the Diliman Preparatory School for taking
the extra effort and investing millions of pesos to ensure the health
and safety of their students.

Jess Gernale, Project Engineer of
Artech Scientific Trading, said that apart from DPS, Unilever is the
only other company in the Philippines using their high-tech thermal
scanners.

Coseteng hopes that with the global pandemic on H121 ,
more schools will follow the DPS example by acquiring and investing in
equipments to ensure the students’ safety and well-being. RMP

The reasons why some men date older women are as varied as the women themselves.

These women, because of their experience, often have more wisdom and self-assurance than younger women -- perhaps they may also possess more self-reliance and tolerance.
“Some men receive mentoring from older women, who have had more relationship experience and often understand men well.”

Some men receive mentoring from older women, who have had more relationship experience and often understand men well. Clearer about who they are and what they want, "older women" may even have an advantage in the dating arena.
In some cases, having a relationship with an older woman may work for men who don't want children:
"My wife and I have been married for almost 20 years," says Rocco. "She was 53 and I was 41 when we met. We both shared many values, including our faith. Our children are grown up now, and mine love her. So, it's worked out very well. I tell men who have been divorced at least once to go for an older woman... If you find the right one, don't worry about age -- unless you still want more children."
A man who dates someone who has children his age will run into the occassional social opposition. But there are men (like Ben, 25, who is dating a 45-year-old woman) who can overcome resistance.

Ben says:
"A woman can be 25 and marry a man of 45 or 55 and, hey, whatever. Traditionally, it's been ingrained in our psyches... that's the way it goes, but not the other way around. We've always known that age may be an issue. But now that we've been together for a while, I have a new perspective.


Not all men are comfortable dating older women. Some men, like Clyde, worry about the future. Clyde says:
"I dated a woman who is 15 years older. We dated for a bit and then settled into just enjoying each others company. She has a fit body and is an attractive woman. People said to me, why don't I commit to her if we enjoy each other's company? I told them I worried about how things would feel in 10 years when she's over 60 and I'm in my 40s... And then further down the years."


Through my experience as a therapist and marriage counselor, age difference isn't as important in a relationship as most people think. What counts is whether a couple can create a working partnership and build an enjoyable life together. So, for you men who've fallen head-over-heels in love with an older woman, I've developed nine tips on how to enjoy your newly found romance:


1. Be a gentleman. An older woman wants to be treated with respect, like any woman does. While she might attracted to your rebelliousness or youthful attitude, she still wants you to treat her with good manners.
2. Don't get ahead of yourself. Don't worry about the future until you actually might have one. Take your time and allow the relationship to develop.
3. Stay calm. You may be excited, but don't overdo it. Have fun and enjoy your dates, but don't come on too strong. She has some reservations, too.
4. Be charming. Don't underestimate how powerful your smile can be. Use it often, make eye contact, and keep the conversation flowing. Pay attention to what interests you about your date, and show interest in her opinions, experiences, and activities. Be complimentary whenever possible, and respond intelligently to whatever she says.
5. Don't focus on looks.
“Give compliments, but focus less on her physical appearance -- she may be anxious about it.”
Give compliments, but focus less on her physical appearance -- she may be anxious about it. And even if you're complimentary, she may worry that you're too focused on looks. She wants to be appreciated for who she is, including her intellect and style. Compliments like "That color is lovely on you," or "You look great tonight" are safer than "You're in great shape."


6. Have fun. Keep your dates simple and have a good time. Focus on being pleasant, and not getting too far ahead of the relationship. Refrain from talking too long about any one subject without inviting a comment from your date.


7. Keep conversation interesting and light. Feel free to talk about anything, including your personal lives, past relationships, and love in general, but don't be the one who brings up the intimate topics first. Be wary of prying too deeply into her private life and secrets, unless the information is voluntarily offered.
8. Avoid talking too much about yourself. Keep your focus on learning about your date. Dole out the boring information about yourself. Punctuate your conversation with questions: "What do you think?" "Has it been that way for you?"


9. Pay attention! Listen to answers to your questions. You have things to learn here! Seek to get to know each other better. No matter how thrilled you may be about her, listening to what she says, watching what she does, and understanding how she feels are the most important things you can do.

The Final Battle Kicks Off BALLS CHANNEL BRINGS FIFA FINALS TO THE PHILIPPINES

The Final Battle Kicks Off
BALLS CHANNEL BRINGS FIFA FINALS TO THE PHILIPPINES

Balls Channel brings to Philippine TV one of the most awaited and most talked about sports event of the year, the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 Finals on June 29 (Sunday) at 2:30am. This year’s Finals will be held at the Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg while the match for 3rd place will be at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.

The FIFA Confederations Cup (FCC) is held every four years and is one of the most recent introductions as a warm-up event for the FIFA World Cup™. This is also referred to as the “Champion of Champions” tournament which gives top teams from all continents the chance to represent their respective regions in a world play-off to establish their name in the football community.

For years, FIFA has been entertaining its fans with a range of tournaments from the acclaimed teams. Last 2005, the FIFA Confederations Cup was held in Germany where Brazil emerged victorious against Argentina in the battle for honor, trophy and the handsome prize money.

This year, Brazil will try to defend their championship title against team USA in the much-awaited and highly-watched out for FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 finals. Spain and South Africa will also compete for third place.

Be the first to know which team will triumph! Catch the heated FIFA finals action on Balls (Skycable Channel 34) on June 29 at 2:30am. There will also be encore telecasts on the same day at 7:00am and 2:00pm. You can also catch all the action on Studio 23 (Skycable Ch 17) starting June 30 until August 4, every Tuesday, at 2:00pm. Don’t dare miss it!

Balls Channel is the official broadcaster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and other world class sporting events such as the 2009 US Open Tennis Championships, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and will also be airing the primetime replays of the NCAA and the UAAP. The channel is available on SkyCable Platinum, SkyCable Gold, SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide.

SIX PACK OF DRA ROURA

Everybody craves and dreams for a supermodel figure, voluptuous behind, firm and proud front, a six-pack abs for men and a flat stomach for us girls. This degree of vanity makes gyms and fitness centres flourish, enhancement products to sell and derma and surgery clinics to maintain a good business despite the economic decline. One colleague noted that even if people are dealing with hard financial times, businesses that cater to being beautiful will remain strong. Blame it to magazines, Hollywood, television shows, the huge billboards around the Metro, to Filipinos’ innate narcissism, even to articles like this one; we will always make a way to have the dream body and the look that qualifies for the standard of beauty and sexiness.

But reality bites and no matter how hard we try or how long we starve ourselves, it is very difficult to achieve a perfectly sculpted body. It demands time, patience and a lot of discipline and of course money. But while most people cannot pledge 100% to the first three requirements, but have big bucks to burn, a new clinical surgery promises to be the answer to your six-pack abs desires.

6-Pack Abs in 6 Hours

That is the guarantee that Roura Dermsurgery Clinic promises to their clients, a perfect 6-pack abs for men and two-pack abs for women using a technology called VASER high-definition liposculpture VADHL, developed by Colombian plastic surgeon Dr. Alfredo Hoyos. VAHDL is said to be the latest craze in body enhancement in Europe and the United States and is within Southeast Asia, is only available in the Philippines and Singapore. Vaser Liposystem is the technology that is used in the procedure, manufactured by Sound Surgical Technologies LLC.

Dr. Claudine Roura introduced VAHDL in the country as Liposelection by VASER. It uses a 3D approach to define the contours of the body, targeting superficial fats that block the details of the underlying muscles from the chest and abdomen, to the side of the body, the lower back and buttocks areas.

“Liposuction only makes you smaller by trimming away excessive fats in your body while Liposelection by VASER sculpts the body in such a way never before achieved by conventional liposuction,” said Dr. Roura.

The procedure coined as 6-pack in 6 hours, can actually be done in lesser time, explained Dr. Roura. The procedure however is not available for everybody. According to Roura, candidates with excessive fats and loose skin are not recommended to undergo Liposelection. According to her, 95% of people who goes through liposculpture work out regularly. Since Liposelection is a very delicate procedure, Roura said that patients will first have to pass the medical assessment and thorough medical check-up. She also said that only certified surgeons are allowed to do it.

Before the procedure, the surgeon marks the body, creating a path to be enhanced and then the patient is sedated. With women, serratus(down the armpit area), obliques (side abdominals), gluteus muscles (buttocks) and perispinal muscles in the lumbosacral curve.

For men, these primary areas as well as the transverse tendinous intersections within the rectus abdominous muscles (abdominal) and pectoralis (chest) muscles are enhanced for that washboard abs look.

“The patient experience lesser pain and less bruising compared to liposuction, but it’s also relative on the patient’s level of tolerance with pain,” said Dr. Roura.

After the procedure, patients cannot go back to their exercise routine nor do strenuous activities for one month but they can perform normal tasks like going to the office. In the first two months, patients will experience swelling, discomfort with movement and constant aching pain, but the toned muscles are already visible and the full result comes out after four months.

Robbie Pangilinan, sports columnist and marketing consultant is the first of the few who tried Liposelection by Vaser. Despite his own initial apprehension, Pangilinan was convinced to undergo surgery after his diet, exercise routine and sports proved futile to achieve the figure that he wanted. According to the 31-year old multi-tasking yuppy, VAHDL made him feel like 20-year old again.

“Put together all the membership fees and monthly dues you spend in the gym, the time and effort exercising and the agony of going on a diet, these wouldn’t amount to how much you will spend in this procedure,” attest Robbie. As a total convert to Liposelection, he recommended the procedure to friends and fellow fitness buffs.

“Like regular liposuction, patients should also maintain the shape with regular exercise, work out and healthy diet,” she advises. Roura recommend Liposelection to models, fitness buffs, celebrities, executives and anybody who wants to have a perfect abs and who will qualify for the procedure.

Only licensed and well trained practioners are allowed to do the procedure and in the country, VAHDL is exclusive to Roura DermSurgery. Dr. Roura is a graduate of the University of Sto Tomas. Aside from her fellowship in dermatological societies around the world, Dr. Roura trained under two prominent cosmetic surgery figures, Dr. Pierre Fournier who is considered as the Father of Liposuction Surgery and Dr. Alfred Hoyos. She is the only Filipina certified to do VAHDL.

Indeed, with the technologies which are continuously developed to meet the demand of beauty, achieving a desired body is just a swipe of a credit or debit card away. And while physical beauty is only skin deep, the confidence that it brings surely changes a person’s life.

For more information on Liposelection by Vaser, visit www.rouradermsurgery.com or call 4898526/09174230556.

TV5 host Cheri Mercado, NOW a CALAYAN Endorser :

AS THE FINAL PHASE OF HIS FIRST ALBUM IS NEAR COMPLETION DR. MANNY CALAYAN AND DRA. PIE CALAYAN HAD INITIAL TALKS WITH TV5 ANCHOR/ HOST CHERI MERCADO- SANTOS REGARDING THE POSSIBILITIES OF BEING ADDITION IN THE BROOD OF CALAYAN SURGICAL ENDORSERS...NOW IT'S CONFIRMED CHERI SIGNED CONTRACT WITH CALAYAN SURGICENTER YESTERDAY.

CONGRATS CHERI! WELCOME ABOARD

A bit of biblical humour. Christians have sense of humour too! Another stress-reliever

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?

A. Ruthless.

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany ?

A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?

A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?

A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?

A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

Q.. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?

A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden ?

A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?

A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?

A. The area around Jordan .... The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible

A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?

A. Joshua, son of Nun.

Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark ?

A. Because Noah was standing on the deck. ( Groan...)

PS. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make coffee?

Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . .. 'He-brews'

CALAYAN, MAMA RENEE SALUD AND FORMER SEN NIKKI COSETENG@ SHALL WE DANCE

There are three reasons why viewers should watch shall we dance; the celebrity challenge on April 26, 9pm

It’s pumped, loaded and star-studded.

“The present celebrity contestants are MAMA Renee Salud , a famous fashion icon designer , Dr. Manny Calayan is a recipient of the "Most Outstanding Cosmetic and Laser Surgeon" in the Philippines. The award was given by the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines last

October 1999 and Former Senator Ana “Nikki” Coseteng who has served in the 13th Congress of the Philippines and the Senate of the Philippines , she was appointed Assistant to the President of the Mariwasa Group of Companies, she was Curator and Proprietress of Galerie Dominique. At the same time, she was team owner and manager of the Galerie Dominique Basketball Team up to 1983 and Currently President of Diliman Preparatory School.

Another interesting highlight is the question and answer portion in which MAMA RENEE SALUD, DR. MANNY CALAYAN AND FORMER SEN.NIKKI COSETENG will take the hot seat while Mr. Audie Gemora - Master of Musicals & Stage Director to the "Trumpets Philippines, Ms. Edna Ledesma - Philippines' first champion to the International Dance Sport Competition and Ms. Regine Tolentino - A fashion designer, a tv host, a Dance Diva & a certified Dance Sport Champion interview them.

Much awaited exhibition dance by shall we dance resident Judges Edna Ledesma and Reginne Tolentino and A special set of dance showdown Pba Legend Benjie Paras and Redbull Barako’s Alex Crisano

"Shall We Dance? The Celebrity Dance Challenge" on TV5, which airs Sundays at 9 p.m., is refreshing show being hosted by Ms. Lucy Torres Gomez,

House Life Guests Former Senator “ Nikki “ Coseteng

Diliman Preparatory School and Former Senator Anna “Nikki” Coseteng , opens up her vacation house for Ms. Tessa Prieto Valdez' home improvement show, House Life on QTV Channel 11. The former senator's abode situated in Baguio City has a PRE-HISPANIC theme and was personally interior designed by her, surprisingly though she doesn’t have any professional background in interior designing.

Quick Fix Celebrity Junk hosted by Tristan Jovellana showed how they re-invented an antiquated pre-hispanic table approximately valued at php 350,000 to an awesome bookshelve.“I was so shocked at first when they cut down the table, matanda pa yun sa lola ko! but then, when they were done with it was so happy and satisfied it brings back to life" beamed former Sen Nikki.

Former Senator has a natural knack for design and order, usually reflected in his office and her 40 yr old school.The modest yet very elegant, three story house in Baguio City serves as a solace away from the noise and stressful nature of her job she also made sure that the design of the house will give total comfort to the family.

House life also featured Bencab Museum, House of Elizabeth, Teresitas and Pinky Collection. Catch the Roura’s on House Life, which will be aired on APRIL 20, 2009 7 15PM at QTV Channel 11.

RUN FOR A CAUSE

RUN FOR A CAUSE
By Robbie Pangilinan

Just recently, Airspeed International Corp. Hosted a Marathon for a Cause as a fund raising project for the Alabang New Life Foundation, World Vision, Metro Kids, and Gawad Kalinga. With its good cause, it was just so enticing to be a part of this Power Race; but every participant must be in a good shape or healthy to be able to finish the race.

In relation, Airspeed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President Ms. Rosemarie Rafael shares her pointers on health. The company has been one of the top performers in freight, customs brokerage, and cargo handling for 23 years. Throughout those years, the company went through a marathon. Since it is still in the business, it can be positively said that it is doing well in the race.

This is one of the perspectives on hosting the Marathon for a Cause since it is what the company is walking on. As the CEO and President, Ms. Rafael contributed a lot to its success. She has been on the business race and has been doing it great. She does all her responsibilities very well. Knowing that this is not an easy job, it is best to be aware of her secrets on maintaining good health in the middle of her obligations; because aside from business and wellness, she is also a mother of four.

“The ‘health secrets’ I have are not really secrets as they are known to everyone. I have a three-fold secret though. It is in the doing, the discipline of doing it every day, and the diligence of doing it well every day,” says Ms. Rafael. This can be related to being a part of the Marathon race; a very good analogy on running the business race.

Furthermore, Ms. Rafael stresses her “open secrets.” They consist of diet, exercise, and rest. On top of her list is walking. “I go walking for an hour with my husband, my daughter, or my best friend at six in the morning; for at least thrice a week,” she says. In addition, vices are out of her life as she relates that “no smoking, drinking or any vice as our body is the temple of God!” To add, it will not be easy for Marathon participants to go with the race if they are so into vices as these really destroys the body.

Moreover, Ms. Rafael is a sweet tooth but discipline outweighs her cravings. She claims, “No sodas and sweets even if I have a sweet tooth. I substitute fresh fruits for the sweets I like. I also eat a lot of vegetables. Nothing white as much as possible. No white rice, white sugar and white bread. I go for brown rice, muscovado or brown sugar, and wheat bread. It’s really just having discipline.”

Rest and relaxation is also important for Ms. Rafael. “Of course, I get enough sleep despite my busy schedule. I am a morning person so I sleep early and wake up early. I am not harassed the whole day even with the demands and pressures I face every day because I start my day right. In the quiet of the early morning, I have time to pray and organize the things I have to do for the day,” she says. Living with the idea on the significance of resting and taking it into action helps her manage a huge business, and a lot of other commitments. Relating this to Marathon, it is not like Sprint where you exert all the strength at a short race period. It is a long walk and run so there must be a strategy to it to persevere and finish.

Aside from the fact that the company is doing well, Ms. Rafael is in a good state as she has the good health of a 20-year-old in her physical age of 51. She proudly shares that “At my age, I praise and thank God that I am living a healthy life. I know a lot of people my age who suffer from diseases brought about by unhealthy lifestyles. I just keep it simple and that’s the secret!”

It can be learned straight from Ms. Rafael that health is really wealth. The Marathon for a Cause as a way to raise funds also says it. Nobody who is in bad health condition can join the race. In the end, whether in life or in a sports race, it is best to keep her “open secrets” as she looks forward to many more years of taking care of the business and her loved ones who she really cherishes.#

FORMER SEN. NIKKI COSETENG IPIS INCIDENT

Be mindful of what you’re getting from restaurants.

Former Senator Ana “Nikki” Coseteng was having breakfast with his brother Perry Coseteng and two guest from Bacolod last April 5 at Pancake House, near blue wave branch Macapagal Avenue Pasay City.

She was freaked out by what was inside the bangus she ordered. A whole cockroach. She was grossed out by the incident and cavalier matter of routine response of the restaurant supervisor Ms. Maila Marcelo said “we will replace it and wont charge you for it”. Sorry Mam Nikki just an accident.

“Our initial assessment is that this is a civil case, it can also be a administrative as regards the permit and license of the restaurant” said Atty Narvasa of NARVASA LAW OFFICE.
The former senator is completely in shock after the incident and want to press charges and would like the public to know about how unsanitary this restaurant is.

How this restaurant in public get clearances from the city health office. Said Robbie Pangilinan, PR Man of the former Senator.

Mommy Means Business

Mommy Means Business

by Robbie Pangilinan

When Ms. Rosemarie Rafael is working, she means business. After all, being the Chief Executive Officer of an international corporation is not an easy job. For 24 years, Ms. Rafael has led Airspeed International Corporation in the business of freight, customs brokerage and cargo handling. A major contender in the forwarding industry, Airspeed has been ranked in the Top 10 by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and duly accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB).

But when Ms. Rafael comes home, she removes her CEO suit and takes pleasure in her favorite role—being the mother of her four children. She relates, “I am a hands-on mother in the sense that I need to know what’s going on with my children. They are different from one another and I make it a point to spend time with each of them. We have our family time but as a mom, I also have a Regine, Javi, Janina or Aliah time.”

It is difficult to imagine how a very busy woman can juggle precious time between the business and four children whose ages range from 9 to 21. Ms. Rafael says it’s all about balance and knowing your priorities. “I believe in balance of life. My children are my priority over my business. I have an automatic alarm clock inside me and I know if and when I need to spend more time with them or with my business,” she says. She also admits that she cannot have done it alone. “I am blessed to have a husband who is involved with our children, a mother-in-law who truly cares and loves them, a helper at home who is very reliable and cares for them as well. You need them to help you in making sure your children are well,” Ms. Rafael shares.

As in any business, it is always good to have a reliable partner. In raising her children, Ms. Rafael’s partner is none other than her husband. “My husband and I have discussed what is crucial to raising our children and agreed that we are one on it. Sometimes children have a tendency to see who can be their ally and play with it. Kids nowadays are smart and parents need to be seen as one. We also apply tough love and though we as parents would like to give everything to our children, we make sure that we do not give in all the time,” she relates.

Her children, 21-year-old Regine, 20-year-old Javi, 14-year-old Janina and 9-year-old Aliah have also become her partners at home. Their relationship is strengthened by unity and harmony. They are open to one another and Ms. Rafael makes sure that they thresh out their differences right away. In making family decisions, the whole family meets, discusses, agrees, and supports the decision. Even in disciplining the children, Ms. Rafael has a business-oriented formula: “I choose my battles. I make sure that what matters most is known to them. The most difficult part of parenting for me is not seeing immediately the seeds that you are planting, just like in business when you don’t experience return of investments right away. Parenting is not easy but the fruits are so fulfilling when it is good.”

Because the children are grown-up already, the family loves to travel and explore new places. When busy schedules do not permit them to leave Manila , the whole family watches movies or plays board games at home. On a Saturday morning, Ms. Rafael sometimes takes a walk with her youngest daughter and eats breakfast with the other children at home.

The boss in her company is not the boss of the household. Ms. Rafael and her family are faithful servants of God. In fact, she considers prayer as her most important parenting tool. “My husband and I pray for our children every morning before they go to school. They never leave home without us praying for them and they even remind us when we forget ! It has been a part of their lives and I am very proud of that,” Ms. Rafael beams. “The most important value that I teach them is the value of loving God. My fulfillment as a parent is to see that my children are living God's will and true destiny. I see that they are all respectful and loving children and I am so happy that they are close to each other. I believe that they grew up like this because of our prayers to guide us and give us wisdom to be godly parents,” Ms. Rafael shares proudly.

Is she planning to pass the business to her children as well? Ms. Rafael would like that as long as it is the children’s choice to carry on with the business. She admits that it will be very humbling to see them take the business to another level. It seems that her second child, Jose Javier, is the one with the penchant for business, having had finished Business Management at Fullerton College . He works part time at Airspeed’s Los Angeles office. Her eldest daughter, Regina Kristine, is taking up broadcasting and journalism at Chapman University , while Janina Gabrielle is still in high school at De La Salle Zobel and Alessandra Reanne is in grade school at the Learning Child School .

It is not just in interest that the children differ from each other. “My children all have their uniqueness. Regine is outgoing, Javi has deep insights and a sense of humor, Janina is very intense, and Aliah has a bubbly personality and she's very expressive with her feelings,” Ms. Rafael describes her children. “Even their hobbies are diverse. Regine likes to read, shop and sing karaoke; Javi likes computer games and martial arts; Janina likes to play the bass, computer games and Frisbee; while Aliah dances ballet and loves pets.”

As different as the children are from each other, Ms. Rafael would like to leave the same legacy to all of them, and this inheritance is not in the form of money, business, or properties. “When we say that we leave an inheritance from generation to generation, we are not talking only of the financial aspect but also the values and the beliefs that we pass on to our children. For me, the best gift I can pass on to them is making them know that God loves them, that they are God's workmanship and that He will be faithful to complete the good work that He started in us,” Ms. Rafael says.

Ms. Rafael wants to give this message to her children: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. God loves you so much that He not only gave them Jesus but also a great plan and purpose in life. I love you with all my heart and there's nothing you can do to change that.”

The big-time CEO is a big-hearted mother. And for Ms. Rafael, that is all what matters most. #