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Bloggers Do Yoga

It finally happened. An event unlike any other that bloggers have ever done.

Bloggers came together at the Vinyasa Yoga Center (where I practice) and did yoga for an hour and a half, followed by a vegetarian dinner cooked by my own yoga teacher, Pio Baquiran, who is not only a great yogi teacher but a fantastic chef as well.

PREPARATIONS IN FULL SWING

Chona and I were there early. Actually, Chona did yoga at noontime while I had to bring over to the center all the donated items from the sponsors. We ate a leisurely lunch at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, then went back to the center where we packed the media kits and the other donations together with 3 lovely ladies from the ad agency, Aspac/Law (Ria, Kathy and Mia).

(Mia, Kathy and Ria of Aspac/Law)

Some bloggers came in early so we had a chance to chat and get to know those whose names were familiar to me but who I had never met yet, like Francis, Melanie, Janine, and Carl. I was particularly interested in chatting with Francis, who, it turns out, already practises yoga at Fitness First (my thought bubble: this is the perfect endorser for yoga for men!!!). Melanie, too, it turns out, has been doing yoga for some time now and in fact, took yoga lessons that same morning with Chona’s and my good yogi friend fresh from Riyadh, Jon Cagas! What a small world indeed!

Later, a whole bunch of bloggers came in: Poyt, Fritz, Arpee, Noreen and my mommy bloggers Chats, Cookie and Dine.

Juned of Blog and Soul came by a little later from another “shoot” and became the event’s volunteer photographer.

Yogini mates Minna (also the VYC directress), her sister Therese and Trin Custodio dropped by to support the event and practice together with Chona and I. All in all, the shala was filled and energies were strong!

THE CLASS — ENERGY TO THE MAX

Pio informed us that he had designed a special sequence just for bloggers. Now that caught everyone’s interest. He began with a short meditation, taught the bloggers the proper way to breathe, then followed it up with eye exercises, rotation of the hands, fingers and shoulders, and shorter variations of the sun salutations.

Pio also made us go through simple forward bends, side bends and wide angle bends to stretch the spine (good for sedentary bloggers, right?). We also did leg raises for the abs as well as the Bridge and Fish poses.

Class ended with everyone sweaty but feeling good. We had a class picture and naturally with everyone being bloggers, we had a whole slew of cameras and smiling to get through before we could call it a night!

THE HEALTHY DINNER!

Pio’s dinner consisted of pasta, burgers (using vegetarian patties) and his eggless leche flan. Arpee had the time of his life trying to guess the ingredients of this one!

(vegetarian pasta)

(burger with vegepatties)

***realization*** – I just realized I forgot to take a pic of the eggless leche flan! Chona, help!

Each blogger came away from the event fully worked out, fed with healthy vegetarian food, armed with a bag of items from sponsors like Coke, RFM, Nestle and VYC. And also special thanks to a yogini mate, Lomen, for the iced tea donations (yes, we chilled them and drank them during dinner!!!).

NEXT: THE CONTEST!

Blog and Soul has also announced a contest where bloggers who did yoga could compose a blog, photo gallery, vlog or any other form of post about the event. Prizes up for grabs consist of a 1 liter aluminum bottle from Swiss company, SIGG. In addition, there are 3 yoga outfits (jacket and pants) for girls from Aura Athletica Rockwell. Judging will be done by Blog and Soul together with VYC and the winners will be announced soon. For mechanics of the contest, go to Blog and Soul’s website.

I did a random, ambush interview of some bloggers (including Francis who did a fantastic spiel on yoga for men — yey!).

And as I find blog entries on the event, I will post these below.

1. Juned (photos)

2. Chona: Bloggers @VYC: An Evening of Fitness, Food and Fun!

3. Janine: 10 Things I Know About Yoga

4. Poyt: Yoga at VYC (photos)

5. Melanie: Yoga for Bloggers at Vinyasa Yoga Center

6. Dine: Yoga for Fitness, Good Health and Relaxation

7. Arpee: Yoga goes the foodie

8. Cookie: Bloggers + Yoga = Blogginis?

9. Chats: My First Yoga Class

10. Poyt: Going Back to Yoga

11. Fritz: The Vinyasa Yoga Center Experience

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Nestle Pops Hosts Family Dinner!!!!

The launch of Nestle Pops was held at the Nestle Creamery at Roxas Blvd. This was the Magnolia Ice Cream Plant of my childhood days and as we drove up the driveway, I remembered the time when our school was given a tour of the entire plant and we did not mind that we were asked to don these woolen oversized coats because those rooms were wintry cold!

Last June 26, I took the whole family (well not exactly all since hubby was not there) consisting of my Mom, brother, sister, the 4 kids, C2’s boyfriend and his sister. They call this in Filipino — HAKOT! (bring everyone) 🙂

(Dine at the buffet table)

(the family I brought along — minus C2 and her boy friend who arrived after this pic was taken)

Just for that evening, Nestle prepared for us several computers on which the bloggers could try out the Get Your Pop On online game. In this game you use the mouse to flick Nestle Pops into the mouth of 3 band members while they are singing a song.

Not only did we get to try the game for ourselves but Nestle was offering up for grabs a Lomo camera to the blogger with the highest points scored in just ONE game.

Now I am NOT a gamer and here were my 4 kids who love to play such games. Unfortunately, no substitution allowed as this game was counted only for bloggers. So this momma had to use whatever skills she had to play the game (which turned out inutile).

The score to beat early in the game was 45 and the blogger who eventually beat that score was Arpee, with a score of 59. Congrats, Arpee! Good thing you did not come up against my son, M2, because his first game was a whopping 71!

(Arpee with his newly won Lomo)

The service crew of Nestle Creamery treated us to a dance number (although the title of the song escapes me now as it is way past my generation!).

Julie was there also with daughter Trixie. Unfortunately, we were seated on the opposite side of the room so we had no chance to talk much except for a few minutes after the party when we were both waiting for our rides.

(with Julie & Trixie)

Other bloggers at the party were Dine (who brought practically the whole clan) and Toni (of Wifely Steps) who I had been interested in meeting for so long.

We were one of the last people to leave Nestle Creamery. M1 and M2 were a bit fidgety and M2 kept asking me for ice cream. So it was a blessing when Mads of Nestle came over to chat and offered the boys free ice cream (again!). M2, my outspoken boy, immediately asked if he could have a banana split (kids these days are so much more outspoken!).

(M2 watching the banana split production line)

We 3 ended up sharing that one banana split (more calories! but who’s counting???).

All bloggers came away with a huge styrofoam container so when we got home, we opened it up and this was what was inside.

Thanks once again to Nestle Creamery for hosting the bloggers and our families.

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Pop! Goes the Nestle

I grew up with Pinipig Crunch as my favorite treat. I love ice cream, no doubt about it. But my problem always was this. It would sometimes drip before I could eat it all. Some parts would drop from the popsicle stick if I was not quick on the draw. It could get pretty messy. And I still had a popsicle stick and wrappers to dispose of.

 

Nestle recently came up with the answer to my woes. Nestle Pops!

It comes in 2 handy sizes. the 62 mL plastic container (which retails at Php25) and the 211mL tub container (which retails at Php75).

(62 mL container)

(211 mL Tub)

Nestle Pops looks like Hershey Kisses (at least that was my first impression). Curious about it, I popped one into my mouth and just savored the chocolate-y flavor until it was soft enough to collapse. And delight of all delights, my palate tasted the vanilla ice cream which is inside each Pop!!! How ingenious!

 

No messy hands, no wrappers to throw away, no popsicle sticks. Problem solved!

At the moment, Nestle Pops is available at Shell Select Stations nationwide as well as at the MRT.

And….it has its own website! Check it out HERE. It has an online game for games young and old called “Pop’d Stars” which offers an Xbox 360 console with a Rock Band set as the grand prize aside from weekly prizes.

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The Great Iloilo Flood: Typhoon Frank’s Wrath

I was born in Iloilo City (Jaro, to be specific) and most of my parents’ relatives still live there as well as in Bacolod City.

So when Typhoon Frank lashed at Panay Island over the weekend, I was very concerned about them. Our driver who had children there told me that the water rose so fast (up to their necks) that the children had to evacuate to neighbors on higher ground.

My brother forwarded to me a text from a relative who described the situation as “serious”. They have no phones, no electricity, no water. And they expect this situation to last several months. This sounded like a step back into the Dark Ages!

I just came from the Multiply blog of my niece and read through her account about how water rose 8-15 feet in Jaro in just 10-15 minutes (how could that be????). Friends of her Mom called to say that their relatives were stuck on trees as water swelled around their barangay. People were caught unaware; many were still having breakfast as the waters rose. So many lives lost, so many homes destroyed completely, so many people’s livelihoods shattered.

I do not have a complete picture yet of how our relatives there are. We are still trying to contact them one by one to check on their situation.

This site carries pictures of the storm’s aftermath in Iloilo. The scope of the devastation just leaves me without words. On TV earlier, I looked at Boracay and could not even recognize it as a tourist spot with pristine waters and white sandy beaches.

As we follow news of the ill-fated Sulpicio ship that sank and the number of passengers who died, even more questions are in my mind concerning the flash floods in Panay:

– How could torrential rains, no matter how strong, inundate such a wide area in just a few minutes?

– Was this a result again of illegal logging?

– Who should be held accountable, if ever illegal activities were behind the floods?

For now, I am helpless here in Manila. All I can do is pray for my family over there and hope they are able to weather this trial. Please pray with me for all those who lost loved ones and shelter and if it is within your means, help by donating your excess to the various institutions accepting them for the people of Panay.

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Tito Benny, a Filipino Morrie

Last night, I was at an honoring at the wake of Dr. Benigno M. Sulit, Jr. (Tito Benny to me) — dad of one of my good friends, Aly.

(Tito Benny in his trademark suspenders)

Tito Benny is a doctor (specifically, he is an anesthesiologisit). But more than being a doctor, he loved to teach. He was an academician at heart. He had a great future in the U.S. but chose to return to the Philippines to share his passion with his students who are now doctors in their own right.

I remember many times when Tito Benny and Tita Perla opened up their homes to us and many others. Many prayer meetings were done at their beautiful home which I always loved so much because in the center of it was a Japanese-inspired garden with a koi pond and bamboo trees. We used to love to feed the fish bits of bread. Their home was filled with beautiful paintings by Filipino artists (including a humongous Manuel Baldemor). Bedrooms were named after provinces and aptly decorated as such. Wooden furniture and images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Last Supper, etc. all done in Paete, Laguna (their hometown), filled their home.

In one area of the house, just beside the living room, was a very long wooden table that was the gathering place for many family moments. We ourselves gathered often there with Tito Benny at the kabisera (head of the table), regaling us with his stories. He always had a LOT of stories and was widely read. He loved National Geographic and Discovery Channel and as Mara, his apo (grandchild) and our inaanak (godchild), related last night, their Sundays with him were never wasted. He always asked them what their “word of the day” was and if they did not know its etymology, their assignment was to look it up when they got home. So typically Tito Benny!

When my Dad was struggling for life at the ICU of Cardinal Santos hospital many years ago, Tito Benny was there during Dad’s last moments. He was a pillar of strength for our family. When one of our yayas had to undergo emergency surgery, her anesthesiologist was Tito Benny who insisted that he be there throughout the operation instead of relegating this task to a more junior doctor. Such was his dedication to his patients who came from all walks of life.

As we listened to so many doctors (colleagues and former students) speak of their moments with him last night, I was amazed at the life of this wonderful man. Everyone spoke of him with humor, with tenderness, and with so much respect.

But what struck me most was when Mara showed us a book she had picked up from her lolo’s library. It must have held a lot of meaning for Tito Benny because he lived his life according to that book. Mara had brought with her the book Tuesdays with Morrie which happens to be one of my favorite LIFE books.

Tuesdays with Morrie, a true-to-life story by Mitch Albom, tells of Mitch and his last days with his former college teacher, Morrie Schwartz, who was dying of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. During the Tuesday visits of Mitch, Morrie managed to share his views about life and how to live it to the fullest so that Mitch, who was all wrapped up in work and who sort of neglected his girl friend, would come to realize what was truly important in life. Tuesdays is a special book for me because I came across it at a time when I was wondering how I could live my life better. Between its pages, filled with nuggets of wisdom, Morrie himself became my mentor on life.

Mara had chosen a verse from the book — one of my favorite phrases from Morrie:

So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half asleep, even when they are busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.

Tito Benny led the meaningful life Morrie was talking about. Despite being a busy doctor who spent late hours of the night discussing medical issues with students and colleagues, Tito Benny never failed his responsibilities to his family. He was a “hugger”, insisted on being kissed on both cheeks, ever present to Tita Perla and their 2 kids (Aly & Beau) and was a lolo clearly adored by his grandchildren.

His family and friends all wished he had written his life story. Tito Benny never got around to it but he lives on in everyone he has touched by his generosity, love and nurturing spirit.

We are blessed to have been touched by his presence (even just a tiny bit). I wish you Godspeed, Tito Benny. May you be carried up on angels’ wings to your true place in Heaven. Do not worry about Tita Perla. So many of us will take care of her. See you again someday!


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Typhoon Frank: The Aftermath

This is what our yard looks like right now. A “war zone” after Typhoon Frank made a direct pass over Metro Manila packing winds of about 120 kph. Every time a typhoon passes, our yard looks like this owing to the mango and starapple trees we have. We have had worse storms which had these trees swaying so much that I actually stretched my hands out in prayer that they would not snap and fall towards the house!

Power was cut around 4 AM but thankfully, I had the foresight to have everyone charge their cellphones the night before. We also had our flashlights ready and the kids had done most of their homework.

The only worrisome thought was that M2 and a whole bunch of other teens had gone up yesterday to Antipolo for a 2-day retreat.  I had been communicating with their adult supervisors since last night and they had decided that it was safer for the kids to stay till around 4 PM today (expecting that the worse of the typhoon would have already passed).

Power was restored around noon and internet access about an hour later. Now, it is clean-up time. I reckon we would use up a lot of those large 40-gallon trash bags just for all these leaves. But we are all just so thankful that everyone at home is safe and no damage was done to property (ours and neighbors).

Now, I am just waiting out the time when M2 and his car pool of 3 other schoolmates come down later. The worse is over.

How did you fare during the storm?