Win a cake for mom!

How to join:
Anyone who has a mom, or knows a mom is invited to join. Only (1) entry is allowed per person. Simply post your entries on this WALL PHOTO ONLY. All entries will only be counted here. Indicate the name of your mom (or the mom you would like to describe) along with your completed statement.

Entries may be in english or tagalog:
e.g. Mommy Maria Cruz is the best at making yummy paella!
Si Nanay Maria Cruz ay pinakamagaling kumanta ng kundiman.

How to win:
The entry with most votes (likes) wins the contest so make your "best mom" statements unique, funny, heartfelt and beautiful. Also you can just get your friends to like your entry (easy!). Entries will be accepted from Apr24-May6 2011. Voting will also end on May 6, so gather those votes fast! Results will be announced on May 9,2011.

How to claim your prize:
We will contact the winners about the cake design and date of delivery which can be redeemed on May 10-16,2011.

Post your entries and get those votes today!

Double-Check Your Daily Regimen

Double-Check Your Daily Regimen
By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
Published MOD April 2011

Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Brush your teeth daily, three times a day. We all know these beauty and personal care daily drills. We all do them. But are you doing them right? Sometimes, you might be bothered by an irritating pimple growing, or a toothache. If you’re confident that you are taking care of yourself, check again. There might be something wrong with your daily regimen.
We asked two experts, Dr. Mia Nuqui of Dermaline Facial and Skin Care Center and Dr. Cherrie Anne Cruz of Metrodental, on the proper ways of taking care of yourself.

Skin Care Wash machine. According to Dr. Nuqui, your daily facial skin care regimen should depend on your skin type. There are four skin types—oily, normal, dry, and combination—which means you have an oily T-zone, while the other parts of your face are dry. She says, “For normal skin, washing with soap and water is usually enough. For oily skin, a toner or astringent might help minimize the oil. If you have dry skin, use a moisturizer.” Product adjustments. Says Dr. Nuqui, “It is just basic soap and water or facial cleanser adjusting to your skin type. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize is the usual regimen. Most Filipinos have combination skin.There are areas that you need to moisturize and tone down. You may adjust the product you use depending on your skin type. The usual is the cream-based moisturizer and gel-based and water-based moisturizers. If you are on the oily side, opt for the water-based moisturizer which is not as heavy.” Show off your back. A common skin problem is also the acne on the back and the chest. Doctor Nuqui says not to worry as it’s most commonly seen in teenagers and those in their early 20s. “Some say it’s because of the shampoo that has not been properly washed off, but it is all hormonal,” she adds. “You can’t really prevent it, but it can be managed through back cleaning and applications to dry up the pimples.” She said it is best to avoid stress and to get more sleep to beat acne. Real peel. Our skin has natural exfoliation every two weeks. There may be times, though, that dead skin cells would not peel off. On the use of exfoliating products, Doctor Nuqui says, “Basically, if you have normal skin, you may use exfoliation two to three times a week. If you have oily skin, you may have more than that. If you have dry skin, it would strip off more oil, which would make it more prone to skin problems.” Ban the sun. Doctor Nuqui stresses the importance of sunblock, not only when swimming or going to the beach, but in your daily skin care. She says, “You really need sunblock. When you have it, it prevents a lot of skin problems, and helps diminish skin aging and photo aging. Your skin will really age—it has natural aging. But when it is constantly exposed to the sun, mas bumibilis because of photo aging.” Hair care Wet look. For clean, smooth hair, cleansing and moisturization are of utmost importance. Doctor Nuqui advises the use of mild shampoo, and conditioner if you have dry hair. She adds, “It’s not advisable to repeat shampoo because after a while, there would be build-up. So from time to time, return to baby shampoo and scalp-cleansing shampoo.” Bye bye, dandruff. Dandruff has no known cause. Some say it’s because of growth of yeast or irritation on scalp, while some say it’s because of stress. To prevent dandruff, Doctor Nuqui says, “Avoid getting too sweaty and using the wrong shampoo. The wrong shampoo is breeding ground for yeast, as some say, although this is really not the main cause of dandruff.” Dental Care Smile like you mean it. How do you get those pearly whites? There’s neither a preferred toothbrush nor toothpaste, but there’s a proper way of brushing. Says Dr. Cruz, “It is not the number of times you brush. If you brush your teeth for fives times, but it’s not the proper way—quick brushing, and not up and down motion and not reaching the gums—then it is useless. You always brush up and down or in circular motion, sa labas, then you go sideways sa loob, normally for three to five minutes. Then you have to have your toothbrush changed every three to five months.” There will be blood. Dr. Cruz says there’s an adverse effect of overbrushing. If you brush sideways or too vigorously, your gums tend to shrink. There would be a recession, which leads to sensitivity. Don’t be scared at the sight of blood. Bleeding is an indication that you have healthy gums. But profuse bleeding because of improper brushing is a different story. Floss and rinse. Apart fom brushing, there are other ways to clean your teeth. Dr. Cruz says mouthwashes and rinses are okay, but they are more of mouth flavoring and they have an antibacterial effect, although it’s not that potent. “Flossing helps because it removes all the plaque and debris in between teeth or what we call interproximal spaces or those areas that cannot be reached by toothbrush,” she adds. “Floss at least once a day, even at night.” The dental chair. Go for dental checkups twice a year or every six months. Dr. Cruz recommends a visit to your dentist not just for cleaning but for checkup. “There are some patients who neglect to see the dentist every six months. You may not know it—especially when you don’t feel pain—but there could be a cyst growing inside your mouth. Have your dentist check whether you have cavities, gum diseases, and infections,” she says. Dermaline Facial and Skin Care Center is located at EDSA Greenfield Pavillon, Guadalupe, Magallanes, Tutuban, and Araneta Cubao. Metrodental is located at Robinsons Manila.

SETTING THE CURVES

SETTING THE CURVES By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA Published MOD April 2011 WHO says thin is in? The notion that one has to be reed-thin to look good in clothes is so passe. Women who are on the heavy side do not always have to look like a hanger because of loose-fitting silhouettes. It is the way you carry yourself and the clothes on your back that matter.

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What’s more, clothes that are for plus-size women have evolved. Women who are large in size can now play up various styles and colors. “Before, plus-size fashion here in our country had always been conservative and loose. Now, plus-size fashionistas are creating the demand for a fresh and new batch of designs,” says Raisa De Guzman, co-owner and designer for Erzullie. Raisa adds that plus-size fashion is not that different from the fashion of those with small body types, but is also quick to note that, right now, plus-size fashion is becoming more edgy. “Plus-size women get to show off more of their fierce curves. We will see more body-hugging silhouettes for them. For this summer, sleeveless anything is in! Wide-legged pants are also becoming a trend.” Erzullie is available through http://erzullie.multiply.com, and at Backstage Store, Serendra, and Sueno, Makati City. You Asked... Having always been on the heavy side, I find it hard to find dresses to hide my bulges. Got tips on plus-size dressing? — Deedee, Marikina Raisa De Guzman, co-owner and designer for Erzullie, answers ... Plus-size fashion is not really different with the regular-sized one. Just like with the regular size, the right kind of fashion for the plus-size woman depends on her body shape. The big difference is that plus-size fashion needs more exploration by designers. We are still at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to knowing what looks good on plus-size women. But this is where the exciting adventure begins as this gives room to experiment and explore.

Bolinao’s Prime Destination

By ANA VALENZUELA
Published MOD March 2011



BOLINAO, the farthest town in Pangasinan, boasts of one of the country’s premiere resort destinations: Puerto del Sol.
A four to five-hour drive away from Manila, Puerto del Sol is one of the town’s premiere resort destinations for foreigners and out-of-towners.






“Our guests are 50% foreigners and 50% locals or balikbayans,” says Puerto del Sol manager Raymond Malapitan.
The place is a solitary hideaway. A secret garden. Here, you would find yourself walking to and from your room and the pool to admire the resort’s garden flowers and the majestic view of the beach.




“This is the only place where we have a natural breakwater,” says Malapitan. “It is 250 to 300 meters away from the shoreline. So it is not dangerous for guests, especially the kids, to enjoy the activities by the sea because you can be sure, even at high tide, that the area is safe. It is a natural pool, where you are secure.”

Puerto del Sol is not just a place to relax but a place for adventure. “The resort offers activities outside the breakwater because of the water’s ‘biglaang lalim.’ If you are fond of diving and surfing, you can do it there outside the breakwater,” Malapitan recommends.
The resort also offers adventure trips around the island as well as tours around Bolinao and Hundred Islands with a Department of Tourism-accredited tour guide.

“Here on the other side of the road, leading to the mountains, we have the Tara Falls and the Bolinao Falls,” says Malapitan. “If you go farther, there is a natural cave that is big enough to accommodate big groups. You may even take a dip at one of the natural cool springs.”



The area also has a natural rock formation that serves as a natural barrier of Bolinao against the strong current. It is not coral, but it grows through time. “The structure of the stones depends on how the waves crash through the rocks. It is the ocean that builds the rock. This is where the tip of the natural breakwater ends,” Malapitan explains.

Puerto del Sol is located at Barangay Ilog Malino, Bolinao, Pangasinan. Call 6378963, 6352547, or 09178937157, or telefax 6312861. You may also email info@puertodelsol.com.ph or log on to www.puertodelsol.com.ph.