Still, this is a big accomplishment for me, since it’s the first time I’ve been on any kind of prescribed diet for this long. Before this, the most I’ve ever done was stop drinking soda-based beverage.

I have to say this is a very practical, realistic diet program that anyone can stick to. First of all, you don’t have to prepare or cook anything. The Sexy Chef does it all for you, including the planning. Second, the food is prepared according to your preference. My only request was the food not be spicy. But you can go as far as to request for a particular cuisine (Asian, Mediterranean, Spanish, etc.). On the first day, I also discovered I had an aversion to Special K cereal, so I requested them to give me anything but that for breakfast (and they did).

To make it even more convenient, these meals are all delivered to your home a day before by a reliable courier equipped with a cooler that ensures the food won’t spoil on the way. So by now, I’m on a first-name basis with “Manong” who brings me my food everyday.

This convenience was what drew me to this diet. In the US there’s the Jenny Craig diet, which makes it easier to stick to a prescribed calorie count. It’s about time that something like The Sexy Chef starts the same service here.

What also attracted me to this diet was that it was realistic for me. It wasn’t an all-protein or low-carb diet. Psychologically, I could never accept the fact that you have to eat from only one or two food groups to lose weight. In Pounds Away, all the food groups are represented and each meal feels just right, balanced. And the food surprisingly tastes good, not dry or bland like I thought it would be.

I was hesitant when the nutritionist from The Sexy Chef put me on a 1,200 calorie diet. But I discovered that I could do my usual activities (tennis, workout, running, work) without feeling overly spent or weak. However, by 8 or 9pm, my energy level really goes down and I have to be in bed at 11pm at the latest. But I think my body will adjust to this by the second week.

The portions look small, but the frequency required to eat the food (including snacks) staves away hunger efficiently. My only struggle was that I was used to snacking on junk food every two hours. So every now and then, I’d crave for chips and candy. When this happens, I drink a glass of water or have my allowed 1 cup of plain tea, and the moment passes.

The handout that comes with the program is very informative, and lists the exact food that you’re allowed to eat in case you absolutely need to supplement the meals they provide (i.e. if you feel weak or uncontrollably hungry). They even mention the brand and the serving size so you don’t have to guess.

Now that I’m going into the second week of the program, I’m already thinking of continuing it for another two weeks, if only because I like the taste and variety of meals they provide. Not having to plan the menu lessens the stress considerably. Of course, it seems pricey at P13,300 for a two-week meal program, but I spend about the same (or more) with all the times I eat out and call for food delivery on top of my groceries — especially if I count the money I spend on my favorite chips and sweets everyday.

For me, this is an investment for my health, which I want to maintain now that I’m younger so I don’t have to suffer when I’m old — I still want to eat sisig or lechon without feeling aches and pains when I’m 70 years old.

Heading the team is Horatio Caine, played by David Caruso, who first entered popular consciousness when he starred in the first season of Steven Bochco’s NYPD Blue.

CSI:Miami is his first major TV hit since NYPD Blue. Caruso and his character Horatio Caine are now iconic, with his trademark shades (referred to on set as the “sunglasses of justice”) and cheesy lines during intro before The Who starts blasting.

The first episode of the latest season even featured a flashback that revealed how Caine first got his trademark shades. Now on its eighth season on AXN Asia, the show’s still going strong, with more explosive surprises in store.

We got to talk with the actor from his home in Los Angeles.

ON THE RADAR: You’ve created one of the most iconic characters in recent pop history, how much of a hand did you have in making this character?

DAVID CARUSO: I was able to kind of bring in some of the signature things that happened — sunglasses and so on, the look and the sound of the voice and the body posture. Those are the things that came to me in the early stages of creating the character and fortunately they fit in with the tone of the material and the direction of the show. It’s been a lot of fun, you know, ‘cause people have picked up on the character and every year more people do impressions of him and he seems to have been kind of included in the cultural lexicon here in the United States and around the world. But I hope it’s because he represents things that are important to people and I think that Horatio Caine makes people feel safe, you know, that he exudes a form of confidence and ability that says if you had a problem he would be somebody you might want to call on because he’s been that effective and been able to really help people and affect lives.

[READ MORE AT PHILSTAR.COM]

Free Pedometer for iPhone can “keep track of your steps, distance traveled, and the number of calories you have burned in the process. You won’t even have to run or jog for this app to work. One can easily change the behavior of this app from the settings page (shut-down, manual lock, …).”

Pack Free is handy for making your own customized list for travel, but if you have no idea where to start, it also has great templates/lists that you can start from.

My Fitness Pal is a good reference for those not blessed with a fast metabolism (like me). I only use this during big parties and holidays so I know what I’m getting into and plan my “pig outs” accordingly. And when I feel peckish late at night, I can consult which snack would do the least “damage.” For someone like me who needs to work out ten times harder just to shed those pounds, this tool is a must!

Tennis apps (Wimbledon, US Open etc.) - being in a different timezone is tough for tennis fans who have a busy work schedule. Having a tennis app for the corresponding Grand Slam of the season is a must! I can keep track of the draws, schedule, scores and even plan when I should stay up to see my favorite players.

Free Menstrual Calendar - Keeping track of my period means no unexpected “emergencies” and better planned activities.

Fireflies Lite - In the middle of a stressful day, in a place that’s not exactly conducive to relaxation, I turn on the Fireflies app and play a bit; trapping some fireflies inside the jar and releasing them again. The cricket sounds are surprisingly soothing. After a few minutes I’m more mentally refreshed.

With the sixth and final season of Lost about to air on AXN Beyond, we got to chat with Evangeline Lilly from Hawaii, where she had just finished shooting her scenes for the series finale.

ON THE RADAR: Which of the many mysteries on the show is your favorite?

EVANGELINE LILLY: I like the numbers; I’ve always been a big fan of mathematics so the numbers are probably my favorite mystery.

Are all the mysteries going to be resolved within the last episode?

You would have to ask somebody who knows what all the mysteries are! Unfortunately I’m not that person, I don’t keep track so I have a feeling, if I had to guess, probably not all of them are overtly solved.

Probably there’s gonna be room for interpretation on some of the mysteries that will be left. That’s my guess, I don’t really know exactly for sure, but that’s what I think. The big themes are resolved, the big questions that we’ve been asking for six years are all resolved. It’s just in the little details they may have not answered every single question. But I don’t know what all the mysteries are; I don’t keep track the way really, really intense fans do.

[READ MORE AT PHILSTAR.COM]

Writer/artist Igan D’Bayan’s fifth solo show, “Dead Beliefs & Black Vomits”, is said to be his “darkest suite of paintings” yet, and it shows. You won’t find bright colors or pleasant subject matter in the collection unless bat-headed humans crucified upside-down, a zombified Adolf Hitler being fellated by an equally-rotting incubus, and a pants-less Charles Darwin holding the desiccated husk of an alien baby are your idea of “pleasant.”

The palette he uses is mostly a wash of grays and muted browns, with occasional bursts of color. And none of his subjects appear to be in good health: skeletal figures, diaphanous bodies, or just plain decomposing ones are the norm.

The warped figures and their expressions call to mind some of Francis Bacon’s more disturbing nightmares, with the rubbery/melty faces of Egon Schiele or comics artist Ted McKeever.

Symbols abound, particularly the Crucifix and some Nazi iconography.

The swastika features in “Will To Power” and “Black Snow,” while “Boy From Brazil” has a demon/alien-headed midget — dressed in a parody of a Superman costume (commenting on Nietzsche’s ubermensch) with the SS logo emblazoned on his chest — gives the Hitler salute.

People with animal heads are crucified upside-down and right side up in several pieces, and serve as background dressing in others.

Elsewhere, an upside-down cross is formed by an assortment of spider skeletons that have miniature human skulls. The name of the piece is “The Return of the Son of Armageddon Boogie.”

Despite all this, there is humor to be found in this collection. Sometimes it shows up in titles like “White Castle Whiskey of Doom.” It’s also in the work itself. The just-mentioned piece bears a shrouded Death-looking figure in a red bra, stockings and ridiculous high-heel shoes. The dog-headed man in “Romansa Satanista Espesyal” sports bright pink briefs.

[READ MORE AT PHILSTAR.COM]

Artist Christina Dy, or CD as she is called, has always been celebrated for her singular vision, but in recent years she’s also been known for the scale of her work. Her last couple of shows saw Dy using charcoal on huge pieces of paper, from extreme closeups of hair and textiles to expansive sea- and skyscapes inspired by her Australian residency. For her work as one of CCP’s 13 Artists she drew a 360-degree panorama of the view from the top of a skyscraper, which you had to walk in to view properly. It occupied an entire room. When she goes to South Korea this August it will be to decorate an entire wall.For her latest exhibit, Dy decided to scale back, returning to smaller sizes befitting the subject matter and the tone she is trying to set. Titled “Lover Lay Down,” the exhibit will stretch across three galleries: Blanc’s gallery in Makati, Silverlens’ 20Square, and Blanc’s compound in Mandaluyong. Soliciting single sentences from writer-friends like Zig Marasigan and King Palisoc, Dy fashioned her own visual love stories with these words as her starting points.The first part opened last Wednesday at Blanc Makati, with Marasigan’s line: “With sheets folded like oceans, the waves folded inside her” as impetus. Dy depicts the details of a tryst: rumpled sheets and discarded clothes, continuing her fascination with textures.

A blindfolded couple. Supine bodies in repose. Limbs entangled in blankets.

These smaller drawings force one to draw nearer and peer into an intimate scene. Sometimes we squint, and the ingress paper’s ridged parallel lines create an impression of static, as from an old TV broadcast. As always in Dy’s work, there’s a play of light and shade. She mentions that it’s been her most organic show to date, the pieces coming naturally, unbidden. Many of them are paired; some are triptychs.

The other two parts of the exhibit have different details, different “flavors,” based on their respective starting lines. Still, they are stolen moments, something Dy has become quite adept at. It’s easy to imagine her in the spaces she’s drawn, bearing silent witness, capturing details with her singular vision.Part 1 of Christina Dy’s “Lover Lay Down” is at Blanc Gallery Makati until June 23, Part 2 will be at Silverlens’ 20Square from June 9 to July 3 .

Part 3 will be at Blanc Compound Mandaluyong from June 12 to July 3.

READ MORE from Riot of Joy in Philippine Star

And so Rafael Nadal has reclaimed his clay throne in Roland Garros, the Grand Slam he has dominated for the past six years (with only one hiccup last year). Once again, he is the number one tennis player in the world.

All angles of his match against Robin Soderling has been examined and analyzed (my favorite post-match article comes from Tennis.com’s Pete Bodo), so I won’t go there. Instead, I will explore my affinity for Nadal as a fan and how it came to be.

At first, it’s not really clear why, in the current crop of tennis players, I prefer Rafael Nadal most. He is certainly not the most good-looking of the bunch, nor the smoothest or most articulate. His interests outside tennis are totally different from mine and my group of friends. He likes teddy bears. He likes “Coolplay” (Coldplay) and Shakira.

When I saw him in person for the first time in the 2005 Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup, he was awkward and didn’t have much to say, unlike Roger Federer and Marat Safin. He acted too much like a little boy. And after signing my ball, he threw it straight at me, playfully: “Catch!” he said, and it hit me — painfully– right in the solar plexus. The embarrassment was too much for both him and me, and we both quickly went in separate directions, pretending that nothing happened.

But all that aside, I’m undeniably a Nadal fan.

From the time I sat down to watch the whole fortnight of Roland Garros 2005, when I saw him — then just a newbie to me — run down all the almost-winners and dropshots and volleys that his opponents would throw at him; to the time he was booed and peppered with litter by the French crowd while he was handily defeating an aggressive Sebastien Grosjean; to the time he faced a resilient, seemingly unbeatable Mariano Puerta in the finals–it became undeniably clear that he was the player that I could and would really get behind.

It wasn’t because he was a winner. That first year after winning the French Open, he crashed out of the Queens tournament and Wimbledon in the early rounds. He wasn’t able to do much in the US Open, either, and, much to my chagrin, his tendinitis reared its ugly head at the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai 2005, the first ATP tournament I ever saw live, forcing him to bow out before he even struck a ball.

It wasn’t because he exuded this strong, captivating personality on court, either, with his piratas, bandanna and muscles.

Looking back, it really was what Rafael Nadal represented that made me a fan. His success did not have the prodigy-overnight-sensation feel that characterized Roger Federer, Boris Becker and Andre Agassi’s dominance in tennis. His was a more human struggle, seen in his every movement on court, in his words during pressers, his demeanor off-court — this was a regular (in terms of tennis) lad who had worked hard, practiced, endured and survived against the hundreds of tennis hopefuls in the world.

He didn’t waltz in one day, perfect and strong, suddenly blowing everyone off the court. His progression was well-seen and well-documented. Unlike Roger Federer who came into the scene as this graceful swan that everyone instantly knew would be the one to watch for, Nadal had an awkward, rather ineffective serve which he made up for with his strong constitution. His forehands were perennially short because of his natural massive topspin. These didn’t serve him well beyond claycourts, and many dismissed him as a player who would never impress after the clay season.

But against stereotype and dismissive pundits, he worked hard and improved. He struggled as someone who has, but doesn’t want to be totally dependent on, his athletic gifts. Although there was no denying his natural athletic abilities, he was also no classic maestro or temperamental prodigy. He had to graduate from high school, under the strict supervision of his tight-knit family; he was given no star treatment by his hometown friends. He did his job day-in, day-out, working on his weak serve (by ATP Top 10 standards), his net game, his movement.

I identified with his work ethic and the fact that, unlike other players, Rafa always looked like someone who couldn’t afford to take anything for granted (in spite of the fact that he was one of the few who actually could). Although he kept on improving and winning — he won the French Open four times, Wimbledon once (defeating Roger Federer, no less), the Olympics and 18 other ATP Master tournaments — he never lost that hunger, that slight necessary fear that regular, but determined, people like me have to deal with everyday.

He knew life dealt random hands to everyone, and it would not always be good, so while he took his chances, he also made sure he fully appreciated every opportunity that came his way.

This became even more evident after his “fall from grace” last year, when, after his Australian Open victory, he was dealt bum cards. His parents got divorced (no matter what age you are, divorce is never easy), he failed to defend his French Open title, losing in the fourth round to the unlikeliest of characters (Robin Soderling), and he lost all his points from his 2008 Wimbledon victory, withdrawing from the tournament because of a persistent knee problem.

From then on, he never won a tournament until April 2010 heralded the clay court battles once again. Those past months were painful, gruelling, draining — many would have taken it as a sign and folded amid self-doubt.

Which brings me to another thing that made me a fan of Rafael Nadal: his ability to dig into reserves of self-assurance that everyday, regular people have to draw from to survive the daily grind. This ability became even more compelling because his falterings and emotional turmoil are evident, more immediate (Marat Safin doesn’t count because his tortured-ness is akin to that of the inaccessible rockstar or artiste). Definitely far from the typical stoic, invincible image of a tennis great.

These facets of Nadal’s career and circumstances bond me to him in a way that feels personal, although, of course, I don’t have the illusion that I actually will ever know him. I simply wanted to finally thresh out for myself what it is about this relentlessly rising tennis champion that truly made me a fan years ago, when he didn’t have a major to his name, when his matches were still relegated to the show courts, when his serve was weak and awkward, when his tennis shoes didn’t have special inscriptions on them.

And then, of course, I also realize that he is the only number one tennis player in the world who:

* still strings his own rackets
* carries his own bags both during practice and matches
* still keeps close to his family and childhood friends
* arrives on time for appointments
* remembers his manners on and off-court
* never breaks a racket in anger
* listens to the advice of his Uncle Toni and his team
* wears/uses his sponsors’ products without fuss (because he appreciates how lucky he is to have them support him)
* works hard to speak better English (to communicate better to more people)

…and suddenly, it makes sense. While I am awed by flashes of brilliance, gorgeous strokes and deftness on court, I also look for that very human side that I associate with solid relationships, hard work, emotional strength — things that have not been so visible on the world stage of tennis for a while. Rafael Nadal, to me, above all, is a champion of vulnerable, but beautiful humanity in tennis: at once so flawed and transcendent, fleeting, but rooted by pure love for the game.

this image comparison was taken from Cynthia’s blog

The company, ironically named Totally Creative Design Studio, has blatantly and rather unwisely appropriated the work of Cynthia, who is one of the most popular graphic designers in the Philippines: she designed album and book covers for many artists, including Eraserheads (notably the Fruitcake album and storybook), and was Creative Director of Wedding Essentials magazine for its first couple of years, among her many accomplishments. Her illustrations are also big favorites at the Cafe Press online store (Cynthia’s illustration and design, called “Scooter Sister,” on the merchandise in Cafe Press was the one copied by Totally Creative Design Studio).

Although Cynthia has already contacted the proprietor, Jess Marquez, it’s bewildering how thoughtless, callous and bastos (there’s just no potent enough English translation for this word) these “designers” seem to be.

The design is an exact replica; they didn’t even sweat a little bit to tweak it so it doesn’t look too much like the original, at the very least. Why did they do this at all? Did they really think people — and especially the artist of the original work — would be too stupid to notice? Did they really think they could pass it off as their own work without legal consequences?

I know this is the land of pirated CDs and DVDs and knock-offs, but there are clear copyright laws that we need to follow, not only because we’re citizens, but because we are human beings and we have a duty to do right by each other.

I hope that this company becomes more careful and watchful about the designs “created” for them by their team.

* Always be prepared and alert; the ball is coming and you don’t know exactly where or how fast or how strong, but if you’re alert and ready to receive, you have a good fighting chance

* Keep your eye on the ball. Focus on what’s important: the ball. But you must also be aware of where you are exactly at the moment and where you want to be when the ball comes.

* Adjust, adjust adjust. Adapt to the speed, spin and flight of the ball, and don’t be fazed by bad bounces. It happens. Just keep working to be in the best position possible and do the best you can at all times.

* You must come to the ball. The best opportunity to win is to meet the ball and take it on the rise. Waiting too long will put you in a difficult position and you may lose your chance.

* But be patient as well. There is a time for everything, including hitting that ball and going for the win. If conditions are not ideal, be content to dig deep and hit strong, deep, clean shots.

* Take the chance. When you finally see the opening, don’t hesitate and follow your instincts. It’s always a risk, but you have to learn to trust yourself in moments like these.

* Be consistent. Winning is a product of hard work, diligence and consistency. Talent is incidental, and highly overrated. Cultivate the right skills and mindset during your training and keep on learning.

* But finally, learn to play. Have fun and enjoy what you are doing. Success is truly measured by happiness and that feeling of fulfillment. Don’t be afraid to be passionate about what you do.

Remember this.

Love,
N.

The birthday of the historical Buddha is celebrated on different dates by various schools of Buddhism. In most of Asia it is observed on the first full moon date of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar (typically May). But in other parts of Asia the day falls a month or more either earlier or later. (link)

My friend K. told me about this coincidence, and how I should declare my dearest wishes of my heart from today until the weekend. Although not superstitious by nature, and though I believe that we are our own genies and Buddhas and luck, I love events and celebrations that aren’t the usual Christian occasions. And I can’t pass up the opportunity to make some of my wishes known — as a sort of affirmation as well that these are the things I want to see and achieve in my lifetime:

Dear Brother Buddha, Sister Moon:

The dearest wishes of my heart are:

*For the the new government to keep their promises about truly prioritizing education, reproductive health (and not be controlled by religion), livelihood programs and speedy prosecution of corrupt public officials

*For the healing of our nation

*For the Catholic Church to truly become separate from the government and become champions of the disadvantaged and marginalized by leading by example through active faith

*For Metro Manila to eventually transform into a well-planned, green city in my lifetime

*For my business to grow by 2011 into a successful, highly profitable and scalable social enterprise that will make a positive impact on many communities in Metro Manila

*For many private social enterprises grow and succeed as well

*For R. and I’s relationship to strengthen, inspire and blossom more and more as the years go on

*For my stepfather’s business venture to succeed and become highly profitable within the year

*For my brother’s emotional healing and discovery of his own direction in life

*For my youngest brother to fulfill his dream of running a full marathon someday

*For my friend Leah — may she find treatment within this year that will heal her spine and other infirmities so she can live a fuller, happier life

*For my dog Ms.M: that the tumor growing on her leg spontaneously heal and subside without needing an operation, and for her to live for many years yet

*To have my own home within two years from now with a yard in a nice, safe (but not very posh) community

Thank you very much,

N.