The family that bakes together stays together (Annabel Lee Cheescake Cafe and Bistro)

The family that bakes together stays together
By Walter Ang
September-October 2009 issue
Asian Dragon Magazine

The sweet success of a cheesecake shop, reports Walter Ang, 
confirms that
The family that bakes together stays together

TUCKED somewhere along the long stretch of Timog Ave. in Quezon City is a cheesecake shop called Annabel Lee. Once inside, customers will see colorful murals and a hodge-podge of floor treatments, from multi-colored tiles to rough stone. No interior designers were needed to develop the vibrant atmosphere, since the family that owns and runs the shop did it all on their own.

"We wanted it to look homey," explains Timmie Lee, the younger brother of the sibling tandem that manages the shop. "It started out as a different design in our plans, but we kept adding and adding elements, just like in a real house. We even put up seasonal décor like cherubs for Valentine's and tropical fish and tie-dyed lanterns for summer."

Whimsical pieces such as wall-mounted coffee mugs with metal smoke swirls and coffee mug motifs in the iron fence are just some of the "elements" Timmie speaks of. "My family designed the whole place. The murals are original designs by my older sister Tanibel, and we had an artist reproduce them. We had the wall-mounted coffee mugs custom-made in Taguig, and the grillwork of the fence custom-made in Antipolo. Even the shop logo was designed by us in just one night, while sitting around at home," he says.

It's no wonder that brother and sister are wont to discuss family ties when their shop is the topic. Annabel Lee is, after all, named for their mother. Both grew up enjoying baked goodies prepared by their mom. "Even though our mom took basic cooking classes, she developed her skills on her own, since she baked a lot for us," says Tanibel. "She bought a lot of books and played around the kitchen in her free time."

Annabel began focusing on cheesecakes because "she couldn't find any that she liked," says Tanibel. "Her recipes evolved from those found in cookbooks. She made different kinds like mango, mocha, and chocolate."

Appreciation for Annabel's creations started growing outside the family circle, such as when she would bring one to the occasional potluck affair at the bank where she works. Eventually people started to request for her goodies, offering to pay them. It wasn't long before Annabel was selling cheesecakes during the year-end holidays.

The whole family would help in the preparations. Mom baked the cakes, and their stockbroker father, Dennis, created special toppings to complement the cakes. "Since cooking is a family passion, we didn't really mind helping out when we were kids," recalls Tanibel. "We would buy felt paper and cardboard boxes in bulk from Cartimar. We had fun." This family's ventures in the kitchen took on a more entrepreneurial spirit when, "we started printing our own boxes to make them look more `professional.'"

Improved packaging inevitably gave way to the idea of opening their own little space to serve up the family specialty in 2002. Word of mouth has brought in a healthy number of customers, and success is evident with the opening of a second branch in Promenade, Greenhills in 2005. One thing that certainly helps attract traffic is the shop's name. Who wouldn't be intrigued by a name that's the same as the title of Edgar Allan Poe's poem? Yes, the same one that most of us are introduced to in high school literature class. "We have customers who come in and recite the poem!" says a visibly amused Tanibel.

With her background in marketing, Tanibel was tasked to handle operations, while brother Timmie, with a hotel and restaurant management degree tucked under his belt, is in charge of helping mom with the food. "She's still the one who primarily makes the cheesecakes at home. So here at the shop, we really serve `home-baked' cheesecakes," says Timmie.

From the simple experiments Annabel used to prepare, the range has expanded for the shop's menu. "With a wide variety of cheesecakes, we have flavors that appeal to almost everyone. We serve baked cheesecakes that are rich, heavy, and creamy. We also have chilled/cold-set cheesecakes which are lighter and have a more `marshmallow-y' texture. This is usually chosen by those who are conscious of their diet. Bestsellers include the classic blueberry cheesecake, mango, chocolate mint, and strawberry," Timmie says.

After much prodding from customers, the family now includes savory items in the menu. "Our best sellers include our US steaks, either grilled or pan-roasted. Our Stuffed Chicken is also a signature dish, with sun-dried tomatoes, bacon, and ricotta cheese. It's served with a rich real demi-glace sauce that takes 10 to 12 hours to make. We also have items that are good to share like our Persian Curry Fondue. We also serve Halibut steak cooked to perfection," says Timmie.

To keep things fresh for the customers, Tanibel changes the menu every so often. The latest introductions include sizzling salmon belly sisig and pita pizzas in three different flavors. "We play with new ingredients in the kitchen to create new interests for our customers' ever-changing tastes," Tanibel says.

For inquiries on Annabel Lee cheesecakes and branches, call tel. no. 926-6994 and 926-6995.

A sweeter world with ingredients from Ferna

A sweeter world
By Walter Ang
September-October 2009 issue
Asian Dragon Magazine

Walter Ang goes to Navotas to find out more about a little-known outfit which has, in a big way, helped create
A sweeter world

There was a time when flavored shakes were the rage in Manila. The flavors, colors, and variations seemed endless. Flavors ranged from the usual chocolate and vanilla to more Pinoy flavors like buko pandan and ube macapuno. What most people didn't know was that the key flavoring ingredient that almost everyone used to make the concoctions was manufactured by a little company called Ferna Corporation.

"We actually set the standard for the powdered flavorings for shakes here in the country," says Ferna president Giovanni "Vanni" Co with pride. While the shake mania has ebbed, Ferna is still around. It's an institution and brand known to bakers and chefs since it has been importing and manufacturing food and baking ingredients since 1996.

With just a little more than a hundred employees in a factory in Navotas City, Ferna was actually spun off from its older sister company, Purechem Corporation. Founded in the early 70s by Vanni's father Fernando, Purechem's humble beginnings were in the family living room.

"It was the typical Chinese entrepreneurial effort. Our living room was the office and we had some equipment in the backyard," says Vanni. "Our father entertained clients at home and our mother, Ester, ran the admin matters while taking care of the kids. She would go out to check on the equipment one minute and oversee the cooking in the kitchen the next. My four siblings and I were squeezed into one bedroom. "

Growing up in such a milieu gave Vanni an appreciation of the sacrifices made by his parents. "We saw how hard it was to run a business," he says. Even though Vanni wanted to take electronics communications engineering in college, his father prevailed upon him to take up chemical engineering instead.

In the end, Vanni took up commerce major in marketing in San Beda College. Though he may not have gone in the same academic footsteps as his father, Vanni's choice proved to be useful for the family business in the long run.

Purchem had dealt mostly in trading with other companies. In 1996, it was decided that Ferna was to be born to cater to mid-level businesses like commissaries, bakeries, restaurants, hotels and, yes, the everyday consumer. The non-professional home cooks and bakers will certainly be familiar with the Ferna brand and its products like seasonings, spices, gelatine, food colors, and liquid flavorings.

"The flavorings are used for a host of foods like yema, cream fillings, frozen desserts, cakes, breads, and cookies," Vanni says. "Aside from the typical almond, banana, and strawberry flavors, we also have tropical fruit flavors like pineapple, melon, sweet corn, and watermelon. We also have native flavors like pandan, ube, langka, and even durian."

Aside from the usual baking ingredients like yeast, baking powder, baking soda, and corn syrup, Ferna also has siopao and donut premixes. It distributes the Franklin Baker line of coconut products that come in flaked, toasted and desiccated variants. "Coconut is rich in healthy medium-chain triglycerides and it has one of the highest fiber content among all plant foods," Co says.

Ferna is also the exclusive licensed manufacturer of Nutrasweet in the country. "One of the ingredients of Nutrasweet is aspartame, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar. But Nutrasweet Tabletop Sweetener is formulated in a way where one packet is equivalent to two tablespoons of sugar. It is a good sugar substitute for people who are conscious of their weight because it has no calories," Co says.

For food service industry clients, Ferna has its Nova line. "The Nova soft serve ice cream mix uses only vegetable fat instead of dairy, resulting in less than 2% fat. It also contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber. The Nova whipping cream powder is gluten-free and complies with Halal requirements," Vanni says.

Ferna remains a family enterprise until today. Vanni's wife Thefania handles finances, and his siblings have at one time or another been involved in the business. It is the patriarch Fernando's guiding principles that the company stands by. "We make sure that all the ingredients we make are 100% food grade. He always reminds us that we are creating products for other people to eat. It is a very big responsibility," Vanni says.

Vanni is proud of the fact that Ferna's factory consistently passes the audits performed by their multinational clients. "We have to always be very careful to uphold the utmost quality. There are no compromises. We want to make sure that people view Ferna as a reliable, long-term partner," he says.

The sense of partnership extends to not just creating food products and selling them, but also providing people with a way to earn their own living. "We invested a lot of time and effort establishing a network of clients in the provinces. We support them by doing regular demonstrations using our products so they can find out the latest trends in baking or cooking since some of them may not have the resources to come to Manila for further training," Vanni says.

Vanni makes it a point to go abroad every year to see what is going on in the food ingredients industry. "We want to make sure we are on top of new developments," he says. Vanni has taken his father's advice to heart, never resting on current laurels. "We can't consider ourselves successful because there is still a lot to do and a long way to go for Ferna."

Weight specialist Dr. Roland Angeles explains how energy levels affect weight

Energy in, energy out
By Walter Ang
September-October 2009 issue
Asian Dragon Magazine

The basic concept of the calorie diet, reports Walter Ang, is 
Energy in, energy out

A results of a recent U.S. study that followed the diets of monkeys for 20 years showed that a reduced-calorie diet paid off in less disease and longer life. The researchers note that these findings could apply to humans.

Of course, the mere mention of "calories" and "reduced" will most probably result in a lot of teeth-grinding and hair-pulling by a lot of humans. But a "reduced-calorie lifestyle" is not impossible to do and does not have to be painful.

Calorie is a measurement unit of food energy that is made available to the body through digestion. Everything we eat and drink (except water) has calories. Everything we do burns calories. By simply sitting down and breathing, your body is burning off calories. Of course, more strenuous activities burn off more calories.

"The reason why people become overweight is an imbalance in the amount of calories ingested and the amount of calories burned off," says weight-specialist Dr. Roland Angeles. "If you consume the exact amount of calories that your body burns daily, your weight would remain the same." However, many of us live sedentary while having, admittedly, slightly decadent diets.

Counting the calories of what you eat can help you lose (or gain) weight. "To lose weight, you need to eat less calories than what you are usually used to so that your body will start using up the 'reserves' that are stored in fats," he says.

"However, it is important to know that drastic or crash dieting is harmful to the body. If your body is used to eating, for example, 3,000 calories a day and you suddenly started eating only 1,000 calories, your body would react in ways to counteract what it acknowledges as starvation. Your metabolism (or how fast your body burns calories) will actually slow down to keep every calorie it can because it wants to keep you alive. Not exactly the results you'd want out of dieting." he says.

This is aside from feeling cranky and weak among other side effects like fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Losing weight too rapidly can even lead to severe complications like gallstones.

People who try to loss weight usually try to change everything in their lives all at once and the sudden pressures and stress of all that change becomes too overwhelming, leaving nothing done. "Small steps, specifically gradual reduction of calories, and consistency are important in achieving weight loss," says Dr. Angeles. "There are about 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. If you ate 500 less calories each day for seven days, it would equal the 3,500 less calories required to lose one pound of body fat."

You don't have to slash out huge amounts of calories from your diet right away. If you start eating less (for example, 250 calories) while becoming more active (for example, burning 250 calories by walking for about half an hour), then you would have ended up shaving 500 calories from your body. "Your weight loss won't be instant, but small tweaks can, and will, pay off over time," he says.

Counting calories can be tedious and time-consuming, so an easier approach is to find low-calorie substitutes for the foods you usually eat, or lessening the portions of your servings.

Instead of sugar, try a low or no calorie substitute. Instead of a whole cup of rice, you don't have to go half right away. Try filling the cup only two-thirds full. Forego the whipped cream in your iced mocha latte. If you like having ice cream after a meal, slowly get used to fruit-flavored yogurt instead. Once you're used to that, slowly switch to a non-fat variant.

Counting calories, of course, is not an excuse to cheat or fool yourself. If you ate only non-fat ice cream and nothing else every day, of course, you would definitely lose weight, but your body would become malnourished.

"If you do start watching your calories, you will also need to make sure that you eat a variety of foods so that your body is properly nourished with different vitamins and nutrients," he says. "This is why junk food like chips and soda are known to contain `empty calories,' in that they pack a lot of calories but have very little or no nutritional value."

While there are free online calorie calculators that can help you figure out how much calories you usually eat and how much you usually burn off, before starting any kind of diet, always be sure to consult your doctor or nutritionist first.

Dr. Angeles also warns against any kind of diets that are discussed in magazines, TV shows or from friends, especially diets mentioned from foreign sources since the eating habits of people in other countries (and the caloric amount in their usual diets) may differ vastly from yours.

"Your dietary needs (including how many calories you should be taking) depends on several factors, including age, gender, height, weight, your usual activity level, and the rate of your body's metabolism," he says. "Children, adolescents, and pregnant women should never start a diet without a doctor's approval."

A certified health professional will help you establish all of these "base" information and help you come up with a plan on how to gradually introduce change to your eating and exercise behavior to achieve your desired weight.

A breath of life: Jac Vidgen teaches Buteyko breathing method

A breath of life
By Walter Ang
September-October 2009 issue
Asian Dragon Magazine

Walter Ang writes about how a half-century old breathing method can provide
A breath of life

"The perfect man breathes as if he is not breathing" - Lao-Tzu

People seem to want more of everything and anything in this is the age of overconsumption. According to Jac Vidgen, aside from overeating and overspending, most people even over-breathe. Vidgen is a senior practitioner of Buteyko breathing, a method that enhances one's heath and healing originated by Russian scientist and medical doctor Konstantin Buteyko in 1952.

Buteyko theorized that overbreathing disturbs the delicate ratio of oxygen and carbon dioxide inside the body, therefore, less oxygen reaches vital areas of the brain and body. Resulting symptoms range from lightheadedness and dizziness to palpitations, skipped heart beats, muscular spasms, and different degrees of anxiety. Buteyko's more than 40 years of research has uncovered up to 200 diseases or conditions that can be linked to incorrect breathing.

With the "less is more" philosophy gaining ground on all fronts of our lives, it can now apply to breathing as well. "Breathing is neither taught nor learned," says Vidgen. "It is a function of the body that we just do naturally, without thought or effort. But it is also taken for granted and incorrect habits can develop as a way of coping with the stress of our modern lifestyle." He also notes that breathing is an integral component of Asian practices such as pranayama breathing in yoga and chi-gong or tai-chi breathing.

He points out that the Buteyko breathing allows people to re-train their breathing patterns as a way to improve health and to reduce or eliminate dependence on medications. "It normalizes the breathing rate and depth so that an effective metabolic process can be achieved. Buteyko is perfect for people with asthma and other respiratory ailments. People say asthma and other breathing disorders are caused by pollution and the environment, yet asthma can strike in clean environments, while some people who live in polluted environments never suffer asthma. The way people breathe is certainly a major factor," he says.

Vidgen became involved with Buteyko breathing in the early 90s in Australia. "When I started to learn the method, I had immediate benefits to my lifetime symptoms of allergic rhinitis and back problems," he says. He trained under Alexander Stalmatski and Christopher Drake, and eventually introduced the method to the Asian region. He has been based in South East Asia since 1998, teaching classes mostly in Manila, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

Classes are usually done in a series of five sessions, each lasting one to two hours, spread over one to two weeks. "Most participants have symptoms which they want to reduce, like asthma, but some learn the method as a tool for general health - to strengthen immune and hormone function or to improve or refine sports or exercise performance - and, of course to have a healthier old age," Vidgen says. He now also teaches the method through internet chat or phone.

Students with asthma usually experience immediate relief "often within the same day of the first lesson or by the following day." Vidgen notes that Buteyko breathing has helped his students deal with issues such as allergies, eczema, sleep apnea (when people stop breathing while sleeping), migraine, and weight control, among a host of other conditions. Athletes and scuba divers, on the other hand, report increased stamina, better performance, and reduced recovery time.

"Generally, my students are delighted to find an increase in vigor, concentration, and the elimination of many symptoms that one would not necessarily attribute to improved breathing. Often, the more severe the problem the more dramatic the improvement," he says. "Increasingly, I have been getting students that suffer from fatigue, stress, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It's indicative of the way we live our lives and the way we use our bodies in modern society. We need to slow down and simplify our lives."

The results that can be achieved using Buteyko breathing have been documented in five scientific studies conducted in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Scotland. The "British Guideline on the Management of Asthma 2008" allows British health professionals to recommend Buteyko, stating that the method "may be considered to help patients control the symptoms of asthma."

Vidgen points out, however, that results vary from individual to individual. "It depends on many factors such as the age and health of the participant, as well as their degree of practice and their willingness to be aware of their breathing. Some students will require more than five sessions, depending on their individual condition," he says. "Children as young as three or four can learn the method but parents need to be present. I've also had students as old as 90."

Aside from bringing the method to Filipinos, Vidgen also hopes to find individuals who are interested to become trainers. "It's kind of sad that I'm the only one teaching Buteyko in the Philippines right now," he says. "I'd love to teach new trainers so we can spread the method, after all, everyone would benefit from a more optimal breathing pattern."

For details, visit www.buteykoasia.com or call +63919-635- 6060.

Cynthia and Ivy Almario explain how small spaces can have big ideas

Small spaces, big ideas
By Walter Ang
September 2009 issue
Metro Home Magazine

When you live in a small space, either by choice or circumstance, there is no reason why it should not be designed to create a comfortable, stylish environment. Interior designers and sisters Cynthia and Ivy Almario of Atelier Almario gives tips and tricks on how to deliver the most impact in intimate spaces.

Illusion is the name of the game when dealing with small spaces. "You can use design elements to create the illusion of a bigger space," says Ivy. "Mirrors automatically double the size of the area and add a sexy element to the look of the place."

Aside from using it as an entire wall, in the case of the living room in the single lady's nest, notice how the designers incorporate mirrors in unlikely areas such as the backsplash of the kitchen counter or the back portions of the shelving in one of the bedrooms.

"We usually advise our clients to have one wall of the bathroom lined with a mirror since it's usually one of the smallest rooms," says Cynthia. "Either that or use frosted glass for the door of your bathroom."

Light
Glass partitions can also take the place of solid walls. The transparency of the material adds a lighter feel to the atmosphere and also serves to allow as much light to penetrate the space as possible. "Knocking down solid walls and replacing portions of it with glass can do wonders for a room," says Ivy.

"Light is incredibly useful in creating a sense of largeness," notes Cynthia. "Indirect lighting such as cove lighting maximizes the effects that light can have on a room. If you have mirrors, you'll definitely need light to bring out the reflections."

Color
Color is also a design element that can be used to one's advantage. Painting a room in a single color creates the illusion of expanse. The bachelor's pad uses a faux wood treatment throughout most of its walls and doors to unify the space. "Paint the door and its jambs and knobs all in the same color as the wall to create a seamless look," advises Ivy. "You don't want to have a different color for the door so that you don't break the line that the color creates."

This is not to say that all four walls of a room should always be in the same color. "You can choose one wall as the accent wall by painting it a different or contrasting color," says Ivy. This will also serve to create a focal point where the eyes are drawn to (so it will be distracted and won't spend so much time assessing how small the space actually is.)

Notice also how the faux wood treatment in the bachelor's pad is used for only half the space, instantly creating a sense of "invisible division" between the kitchen and the living area.

Another way to "trick" the eye into experiencing a wall's scale is to cover it in design. The sisters used a forest silhouette graphic design done in black against a frosted background on the glass walls of the lady's unit to accentuate the height of the wall as well as to create a sense of depth. It also serves to provide privacy for the two bedrooms behind the wall but still allowing the eyes to see further through the partitions.

Clean lines
If there are windows, one technique to increase the sense of height and drama is to cover it with floor-to-ceiling treatments. "When you see a small window in the middle of a wall, it can feel constricted, but if you cover it up with a big curtain, it provides a line that creates the sense that there is a much bigger opening behind the curtain," says Cynthia.

The same principle applies to cabinetry and shelving. "It's much better to have your shelves and cabinets covered up so that it creates a clean area for the eyes. Open shelving or glass cabinet doors will show all your clutter and it will also require a lot of work because you'll have to constantly keep things neatly organized. If your knickknacks are hidden from view, you can just dump them all in," Ivy laughs.

Furnishings
Now that the architectural elements of the space have been covered, furnishings and décor come into play. "The furniture's colors should complement the wall colors. Neutrals work best," says Cynthia. From a practical point of view, dark upholstery hides stains, food or otherwise, more effectively.

Notice how the pillows on the sofa in the bachelor's pad are large and in the same color scheme as the upholstery of the sofa. The colors maintain the masculine tone of the room but the textures and shapes provide softening elements.

"If you really want to have color for your furniture, it's best to use throw pillows. Go crazy with the colors of your pillows if you like because you can always hide them, change them, get new slipcovers, or throw them away when you tire of the colors," suggests Cynthia. Besides, it's easy to change throw pillow color covers with the seasons for a quick sense of decoration.

Scale
Scale and proportion also play an important part. Most people make the mistake of filling up a small room with small furniture. "It just goes to show how small the room actually is!" says Ivy. "Also, many small pieces will create a cluttered look." The sisters advise getting a large central piece to anchor each room. A large sofa in a small living room that can accommodate guests is a better route than having fold-out chairs that are cumbersome and have to be rearranged constantly.

"It's best to choose furniture with clean lines to maintain a clean look for the space," says Cynthia. "Avoid ornate pieces with intricate or overly embellished elements. It will just make the room look busy."

Dual purpose
Double duty is also necessary when it comes to furnishing a small space. "Always think of how one piece of furniture can be used in more than one way," says Ivy. In the bachelor's pad, the sofa provides seating for the dining table parallel to it. The closet opens both from the bathroom and the bedroom, providing convenience and a central storage area for both rooms. "Think of how the spaces underneath beds, tables and sofas can provide storage spaces," she adds.

In the lady's nest, there are pull-out side tables flanking the bed in the main bedroom for additional storage space while the second bedroom's bed is designed to serve as a seating area where guests can lounge about or hang out. "It's not centrally positioned like the other bedroom so that a table could be added to the room. There are two mattresses and the top one can be laid out on the floor to accommodate extra guests," notes Cynthia.

Creativity
"Be creative and imaginative when choosing décor," says Ivy. Utilitarian items such as wall clocks can also serve as artistic touches. A metal sunburst wall clock in the bachelor's pad is sandwiched between two paintings with bold graphic designs to add character to the bedroom.

"It's really all about clever uses of a small space," both sisters point out. Take a good look at your space and plan out how you intend to use it before selecting the best design and functional elements that suit your personality and, more importantly, suit your space.

Call Atelier Almario at 817-4016 or visit www.atelieralmario.net.

'N.O.A.H.' new musical by Jaime del Mundo

'NOAH' new musical by Jaime del Mundo
By Walter Ang
August 31, 2009
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Jaime Del Mundo once tried his hand at doing administrative work for a school. It was the same time that rehearsals were ongoing for a musical he had just co-written with Luna Inocian and composed by Lito Villareal. After theater company Trumpets premiered Jaime's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," he promptly resigned from what he called his "grown up job."

"When I saw how people were moved by the material, it took me aback. I realized I couldn't give up my life in theater. The potential of reaching people through the stage outweighed any desire out of the stability that a full time job could give," he says with a laugh.

Since then, he's penned several other musicals, such as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Young King" for Trumpets and "The Happy Prince," "Fisherman and His Wife," and "Good as Gold." This September, audiences will see his "N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat)," a reworked version of his children's puppet musical "Mr. Noah's Big Boat," with additional songs and with actors this time around. For this musical, Jaime collaborated with first time composer Rony Fortich, current music director of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Arguably, Jaime has become one of the most prolific and produced Filipino librettists in English. His chamber musicals have been staged "from living rooms to basketball courts." His large-scale musicals like "Lion" has enjoyed several restagings throughout the years and "Mermaid" was performed as part of the festival of performing arts in Qatar and will be touring various Asian countries before the year ends. He humbly dismisses this notion, saying, "I like to think of myself as a director who just happens to write and act."

Jaime has been working professionally in the local theatre scene since he joined Repertory Philippines in 1978. He started from bit parts and graduated to lead roles in plays and musicals like "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum."

He eventually started directing in the late 80s, not just plays, but operas as well. "I never studied music formally and I didn't grow up in a musical family, but my mother took the trouble to make sure her children learned about classical music. I also loved to read," he says. Jaime's passion and interest for words, images, stories, and music evolved into a love for opera. "The combination of music and drama made sense to me," he adds.

Jaime was invited by the Singapore Lyric Opera and Lyric Opera Malaysia to direct "Tosca" in both countries. He went on to direct many operas abroad including "The Merry Widow," "Eugene Onegin," "Cosi Fan Tutte," "Macbeth," and "The Magic Fute." He helmed the U.S. tour of "Mayo, Bisperas ng Liwanag."

His love for and work in opera informs the way he crafts musicals. "I see the structure of writing and directing a musical in music terms. I'm more aware of the tempo, rhythm, and pacing of the material, of what an audience can grasp through the music and the lyrics, of how a line carries," he says.

Jaime recounts, though, that it was not so easy in the beginning. "I originally wanted `Lion' to be a sung-through musical. The first draft that my co-librettist and I came up with would have ended up seven hours on stage," he says with a laugh. "Even now, I don't usually get it right the first time. I write lyrics down or type them into my cellphone when I'm inspired. I do my research and collaborate with the composers and actors. We work though the material till we get it right. When we do get it right, however, it's really a miracle."

Jaime points out that "writing English musicals in a third-world country is a challenge," which is why it is a craft he handles with thought and care. For "N.O.A.H.," Jaime modernizes the re-telling of the Bible tale by incorporating an environmental angle. He has infused a garbage problem into the plot as a metaphor for "self-cleansing."

His characters will be brought to life by actors Carlo Orosa (Noah), Sheila Francisco (Mrs. Noah), and Sam Concepcion alternating with Fred Lo as the Narrator. Production design is by Mio Infante (who is tasked with creating an ark and life size animal puppets and costumes) and choreography by musical theater director and actor Audie Gemora, modern ballet danseur Gerald Mercado, tap expert Patricia Borromeo, and hip hop dancer Alfred Luason.

"Musical theater is a great opportunity to explore stories, to change perceptions, to allow audiences to take an emotional journey," he says. "Musical theater is a wonderful, fantastic, loveable, majestic, and magical place to share important messages."

"N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat)" runs from Sept. 4 to 27, 2009 at Meralco Theater.
Call 631-7252, 0921-7263642, 0917-8842105 or email trumpetsinc@gmail.com. Tickets also available at Ticketworld 891-9999. 


Also published online:
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090830-222733/NOAH-new-musical-by-Jaime-del-Mundo

Proctor and Gamble's Manila offfice promotes wellbeing at the workplace

Wellbeing at the workplace
By Walter Ang
August 17, 2009
Manila Bulletin

No matter what kind of work one does, whether it's deskbound or field work, there is sure to be some level of stress involved. "More and more people are getting stressed and burned out these days," says Christopher Breuleux, CEO of Medical Wellness Association, an international organization that promotes medical wellness education and programs. "Sometimes, work and other obligations in life make us feel like a rubber band stretched to its limits until it breaks," he adds.

Breuleux, who has a doctorate in corporate fitness and health enhancement from Ohio State University, was recently in Manila to give a talk to the employees of Procter and Gamble Philippines on wellness in the workplace. "It makes good business and people sense for companies to invest in wellness. There is a positive rate of return. When employees are healthy and happy, they perform better," he says.

He emphasizes that creating a work environment that is healthy and balanced is highly hinged on workplace leaders. "CEOs or managers need to be the first person in an organization to lead this kind of effort. Without the support of the leader, there will be no follow through," he says. "It really is in the best interest of a company or organization to keep its employees as healthy as possible, People are most productive when they are relaxed."

Breuleux has been working with P&G for several years now. He has helped designed wellness programs for its employees in different offices around the world. He has also helped design fitness centers in their offices and factories.

"You can't get rid of stress," he notes. "You just have to learn how to become more resilient to it, to choose how you respond to stress. Stress management is out, stress resiliency is in." He advocates a holistic approach which includes maintaining health and seeking balance between work and life.

In the Philippines, P&G offices have wellness programs and perks in place. "We have chair massages and foot spas on certain days of the week where any employee can get a quick treatment while in the office," says Brand PR Manager Anama Dimapilis. "Our offices follow an open lay-out and there are no closed offices, even for upper management, so sometimes, it can get a bit loud. We have quiet rooms where people can do their work in a more focused setting."

Its Makati office even has a sleep pod. "It's the first and only sleep pod in the country as far as we know. It even has noise-cancellation speakers. Anyone can use the pod to take a quick power nap if they feel the need to," she adds.

Breuleux understands and knows that not all companies can provide these kinds of perks. He suggests that business leaders do what they can with the resources that they have. "Even a small office can designate a small area for the purpose of `quiet time' for its employees," he says.

He encourages Filipinos to at least take advantage of any healthcare benefits usually provided in Philippine companies such as annual physical check-ups and dental check-ups. He points out, however, that wellness is "not just about getting massages and eating vegetables."

"Balance is an important part of being stress resilient. Resting well and being involved in personal interests like art or music, and maintaining social bonds and support groups are also important," he says.

To this end, P&G Philippines has "Wellness Circles" that are open to all its employees. The circles are interest-based groups for its employees that include athletics, with circles for runners and surfers, and art, with circles for photography and music. There is even one circle where members are able to attend parenting seminars.

The different circles have activities outside of the company premises. "Out of 405 runners in a recent marathon, 102 were P&G employees," said Dimapilis. Employees are also involved in the company's social responsibility efforts such as its "Protect 5" program that promotes handwashing with soap for children nationwide as a way to prevent five health threats: coughs, colds, pneumonia, diarrhea, and flu. The program was done in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross, the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists and Medical Wellness Association. It has been able to target 12,000 students has since expanded to work with NGOs.

Breuleux sees wellness at the workplace as something that will become more and more important as more business leaders become aware of its benefits, not just for the employees, but also for a company's bottom line. "After all, how can anyone be against wellness?" he concludes.


Also published online:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/216215/wellbeing-workplace

Sattvah Wellness promotes energy healing to complement modern medicine

Energy healing can complement modern medicine
By Walter Ang
August 11, 2009
Manila Bulletin

These days, not only do people have to deal with physical diseases such as cancer and pandemic scares like the AH1N1 virus, but there is also a high level of emotional and spiritual "dis-ease."

"Not discounting genetics, pollution, diet, drugs, and other physical factors, there are a lot of, what we call, 'toxic emotions,'" says David Montecillo.

"We have to deal with frustration, anger, low self-esteem, unforgiveness, a sense of feeling trapped, of feeling hopeless. There are valid emotional roots to these situations."

David and fellow healer Claudine Mangasing are the proponents of Sattvah Wellness Center, an intimate space along Xavierville Ave., near Katipunan, that advocates a kind of healing that doesn't deal with medicines.

"It's a mind-body-energy center, the first of its kind, that aims to help people deal with their problems," say David. While the pair receives clients who have physical conditions or disease, they mostly get people whose lives "seem to be going fine but they can't find a reason why they are not happy."

The thrust of Sattvah Wellness is energy healing. "Our bodies emit a natural bio-energy that traditional Asian therapies call chi. It's called by different names, such as in ki in Japanese and prana in Yoga traditions, but all the terms point to the same thing," he says.

"Chi is known to reflect and influence our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This is the basis of acupuncture, a number of massage therapies, and other traditional therapies."

Flow
The pair explain that there is health in mind and body when chi energy flows in the body but that stress, negative thoughts, and emotions can prevent the flow of chi in the body, resulting in physical sicknesses over time.

Conversely, happy, positive, and balanced thoughts and emotions create better chi flow for the person--influencing better health.

Sattvah Wellness does not advocate energy therapies as a substitute for conventional medicine. "Energy healing can be an excellent complement to modern medicine, psychotherapy, and counseling," says David.

"We use a mix of different energy healing methods like Brahma Satyah Reiki, and Qi Gong, among others, to glimpse who our clients are and help them find a sense of balance," says David.

The usual procedure is that the client shares a bit of what is going on in his or her life for the pair to better assess what particular chakras of the client may need healing or unblocking. The client is then made to lie down and the pair will start waving their hands over the client's body "where energy blockages are released to facilitate a sense of relaxation and inner calm." There is no massage nor pressure in the touches.

Clients report different sensations when they undergo an energy healing session. Some feel warm, some feel cold. Some feel "electric sensations running up and down" the body. Some clients start crying uncontrollably during the sessions while some feel very hungry or thirsty afterwards.

"We see ourselves as helping people's bodies and hearts 'jumpstart' their own healing. Letting go of accumulated negativity can be very cathartic and tiring," David says. Some of their past clients have willingly shared their testimonials at www.satvahwellness.com.

Sharing
The methods they use have been taught to them by experts. David has trained with various masters and is now a meditation instructor under the Dudul Hung Nak Mebar Ling Tibetan Vajrayana Center founded by His Holiness Orgyen Kusum Lingpa of the Tibetan Nyingma tradition.

He is a level three reiki healer and teacher under the Brahma Satya Riddhi Healing System as taught by Guru Deepak Hardikar. David is also affiliated with the International Sheng Zhen Society as an instructor of chi gong, a system of exercise similar to tai chi, as taught by head teacher Master Li Jun Feng.

David's own life went through a turnaround of sorts when, despite "having no problems at home, a 'pretty okay' job in marketing and banking, and a 'normal' lifestyle," he had gone into "a downward spiral of non-contentment."

He says, "It was like the world just didn't offer the same old fascination anymore. It came to a point that the job I thoroughly enjoyed before became a struggle."

David was introduced to a meditation class that helped him greatly and led him towards a path where he wanted to share his experience with others.

In 2003, he became involved with Green Light Works, a company that conducts stress and wellness management seminars and workshops for companies and corporations. He started Sattvah Center in 2006.

"I wanted to give the public a chance to learn solutions for their particular needs. There is a wealth of long standing methods used for hundreds of years that people have become disconnected with, such as meditation, chi gong, and yoga.

These traditions hold information that western medicine practitioners may not know of yet because they haven't done much research on them yet," he says. "Actually, there is a bit of research already and they use terms like 'vibrations' and 'electrons' but basically, it's all really all just energy."

For details, visit www.sattvahwellness.com.

Also published online:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/215133/complementing-modern-medicine

REVIEW: Wholesome and then some: Savyon Liebrecht's 'Apples from the Desert' and Frank Wedekind's 'Lulu'

Wholesome and then some
By Walter Ang
August 10, 2009
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Two productions opening in August approach women and notions of "love" and "family" in diametrically dissimilar ways, with one play written by a Jew and the other by a German.

Tanghalang Pilipino will stage "Apples from the Desert," a comedy written by Savyon Liebrecht, one of Israel's best-selling and acclaimed female writers. Actress, dancer and filmmaker Tess Jamias will direct. "The play is about a conservative family with an independent-minded teenage daughter who wants to find her way in the world as she discovers love and life beyond the confines of her highly-regimented life," she says. "The conflict erupts between the Jewish Orthodox father, who is controlling and unable to show affection, and the women surrounding him."

A former member of TP's Actors Company, Jamias has evolved from acting to directing. She's helmed plays that deal with relationships and women. "I directed Harold Pinter's `The Lover' last year. Early this year, I directed "Pamaypay, Kutsilyo at Yantok," a trilogy of one-act plays about the women of Noli Me Tangere." She was tasked by TP artistic director Josef "Tata" Nanding to direct "Apples."

"I like this play because even though it deals with a culture that is very different from our own, the relationships among the characters and the play's theme about individuals finding their own voice are things we can all relate to," she says. "Aside from reading the script several times, I researched the Jewish culture, their history, practices, dances, and music. I went to a synagogue, had a talk with the rabbi and the Israeli ambassador."

She taps her experiences in different fields for her direction. "Being a filmmaker helps me think in moving images, which, in turn, helps me visualize a scene. Being a dancer/choreographer helps me feel if a scene should be more adagio or allegro on the way to creating the whole symphony. Being an actress, I've been able to work with actors of all ages and I've experienced different directors' styles. I'm able to access a familiar language in dealing with my actors," she says.

Jamias joined the performing world via a workshop in her last year of high school. "I had the best time because my teachers were Betty Nae Piccio and Susan Ceniza, two great women actors," she says. Jamias now joins the ranks of a handful of women directors for the local theater scene such as the late Zeneida Amador, Baby Barredo, Ana Valdes-Lim, Ana Abad Santos-Bitong, and Jose Estrella. She feels it's sad that there are only a few women directors but feels "honored" to be counted among them. Jamias will be acting in TP's next production, a Filipino translation of Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage."

"Apples from the Desert" will be performed in English and in a Filipino translation ("Mansanas ng Disyerto") by Liza Magtoto. It is part of TP's 23rd season focusing on "Women of Substance," the first of a three-year thematic arc that will highlight men for the 24th season, and children for the 25th season.

And then some
On the flip side, Dulaang UP offers Frank Wedekind's "Lulu," which centers on "a sexually-enticing young dancer who rises in society through her relationships with wealthy men, but later falls into poverty and prostitution" and the "the intricacies of transsexual seduction, passion, and wrath." The play is part of DUP's 34th season tribute to German playwrights. This production combines the originally separate "Lulu plays": Erdgeist (Earth Spirit) and Die Büchse der Pandora (Pandora's Box).

Tuxqs Rutaquio plays Lulu as a male-to-female transsexual in the Filipino translation by Joel Saracho. He alternates with Che Ramos (who plays Lulu as a woman) in the English version. "When director and choreographer Dexter Santos approached me to do the set design, I asked if I could also act. Luckily, he was actually thinking of casting me for the lead role in his all-male Filipino version," says Rutaquio. He will design the set for another Wedekind-inspired show later this year: Atlantis Productions' staging of Tony Award-winning rock musical "Spring Awakening."

Rutaquio first encountered the material in his Master of Theater Arts classes under Prof. Antonio Mabesa in University of the Philippines-Diliman. "I fell in love with the character of Lulu. To prepare for the role, I did a lot of research about the psychology of sexuality and the dynamics between men. Lulu is a complicated character, a misunderstood being whose desires cannot be equaled by the men that he encounters, that's why he searches for more, using his power as a beautiful transsexual, his rational thinking and carnal body as weapons," he says.

He has played the roles of Dina Espinola (female role) in "Temptation Island," and Ada (gay male role) in "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah." "A homosexual or gender-bending role is just like any other role. In theater, it's not about gender or sexual preference or feminine/masculine mannerisms," he says. "It is about personality, objective, motivation, and development. I get attracted to roles that I can sink my teeth into, characters that I can take apart and explore, and some of these roles just happened to be not heterosexual."

His insights on gender and sexuality are not only informed by his vast theater experience, but also by scholarly practice. Rutaquio is a faculty associate and advocate of Miriam College's Women and Gender Institute (WAGI). He directed and designed "Amihan" last year as part of the launch of Miriam College's Institute for the Arts. "The main objective of the institute is to recognize and develop highly talented young women so that they may achieve the highest artistic standards, become leaders in their profession, and take an active role shaping the future of the arts," he says.

Tanghalang Pilipino's "Apples from the Desert" runs from Aug. 7 to Sept. 13 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines. Call 832-3661. Dulaang UP's "Lulu" runs from Aug. 5 to 23 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, University of the Philippines-Diliman. Call 433-7840. 

Also published online:
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090810-219529/2-contrasting-plays-take-on-women-and-life

Study shows Olay is most effective anti-ageing cream

Study shows Olay is most effective anti-ageing cream
By Walter Ang
August 3, 2009
Manila Bulletin

Via daphneosena.livejournal.com

An investigative study that evaluated the efficacy of seven popular anti-ageing creams and their ingredients revealed that Olay Total Effects had the best composite score at restoring, enhancing, and protecting skin.

Seven commercially available products such as creams with beech extract, with idebenone, with retinol, with beta-hydroxy acid, with folic acid, and with vitamin C and E were included in the study.

Conducted by Olay manufacturer Proctor and Gamble (P&G) in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, to test its own product against others, the study used three key technical measurements to assess the creams' effectiveness: strengthening of the skin's moisture barrier, increased rate of skin exfoliation, and protection from free radicals. A third-party survey conducted at the 21st World Congress of Dermatology showed that 9 out of 10 dermatologists concur with these standards.

Criteria
Repairing the skin's moisture barrier is one key way to fight skin ageing. As people grow older, the skin's natural moisture is reduced, making skin drier and more prone to wrinkles. Moisturized skin maintains an even tone and appears more radiant, while lines and wrinkles are minimized.

Increasing exfoliation is another way to help make skin appear younger-looking. As people age, the rate at which their skin cells are produced and shed slows down, resulting in dull complexion. Increasing the exfoliation rate of skin cells allows new skin to brighten the skin tone.

Finally, protection from damaging free radicals is the third benefit an anti-ageing cream should provide. Exposure to UV rays, smoke and pollution damage the skin, causing spots and wrinkles to appear over time.

Testing methods
To test whether a product restores the skin's moisture barrier function, the study measured the rate of the skin's water loss over a 30-day period. Products that help restore the skin's moisture barrier should reduce the rate of water loss in the skin.

To evaluate whether a product enhances the skin's appearance via exfoliation, the rate of surface cell turnover was measured. A product that helps increase the exfoliation rate should result in a higher cell turnover rate.

Finally, to assess whether a product protects skin from free radicals, the study measured the amount of lipid peroxides on the skin. Lipid peroxides are created when UV rays and free radicals attack the skin. Effective products should cause a reduction in the amount of lipid peroxides in the skin.

Winner
Olay Total Effects performed better on all three criteria compared to the other creams. "We're very pleased that Olay Total Effects scored well in the study. It means we were able to achieve our goal of creating a balanced product that addresses the multiple signs of ageing that women worldwide are concerned about," said P&G skin care scientist David Khoo. "We were very relieved by the results!" he added with a laugh.

The cream with beech extract and the cream with folic acid, came in second and third, respectively. Both creams scored relatively well on all three factors. However some creams, like the one with retinol, were good at providing only one or two benefits instead of all three. "Retinoids may deliver anti-wrinkle effects but those effects may come with irritation and redness," said Khoo.

According to Khoo, Olay Total Effects scored highest because of its unique VitaNiacin Complex. "We took into consideration the different causes of skin ageing, both internal factors and external, and that's how we were able to come up with a product that simultaneously targets multiple changes that occur during the ageing process," he said.

To restore the skin's moisture barrier, it has niacinamide (vitamin B3) and pro-vitamin B5 that help skin retain its natural moisture.

Niacinamide also works with panthenol and vitamin E to provide a host of benefits, such as reduction of hyperpigmented spots and oil secretion, and reduction of wrinkles through stimulation of collagen synthesis.

To protect skin from free radicals, it contains an effective combination of broad spectrum sunscreen and anti-oxidants Vitamin C and E.

Convinced
Broadcast journalist Daphne Oseña-Paez has been using Olay Total Effects for several years now. "It's really part of my job not to take things at face value so when I'm surrounded by all these new creams, I do my research before buying into it," said Daphne. "I have very sensitive skin and I like Olay Total Effects because it really works for me. This new study is proof that I've made the right choice."

She was made an Olay Ambassador because of her trust in the product. She is joined by seasoned actress Angel Aquino as the newest Olay Ambassador. Both women will host the Olay Total Effects Swap on August 29, from 2pm - 3pm, at the Activity Center of SM Megamall Building A.

"We invite all women to bring their current anti-ageing cream and we will swap it for a free bottle of Olay Total Effects. It's a really great chance to discover the best anti-ageing cream for yourself, so don't miss it!" said Angel.