5 Tips to Boost Your Immunity during the Holidays

The Christmas season is truly the most awaited and most exciting time of the year.

In the Philippines, the anticipation for the holidays starts on Day 1 of the so called “ber” months. Christmas songs are now being played over the radio, malls and different establishments showcase colorful displays, and everyone are beginning to be generous and starts to make a list and shop for gifts for their friends and loved ones.

In the midst of this festive atmosphere, we can’t deny the fact that we are also bound to experience even worse traffic congestion, longer lines in MRT and LRT stations, and the pressure of finishing all school or office works before the Christmas break is bigger than ever. Thus, everyone is prone to sickness during this time. The unpredictable weather that we experience these days also adds to all the hassles that we face.

To boost your immunity this holiday season, here are five (5) tips you might find useful. To stay healthy this Christmas, just remember FERN-C:

F-ind time to relax. You’ve been very busy all year-long. Don’t you think its time your body takes its much-deserve break? A good resort is just a few hours drive from the chaotic metropolis or you can do a hotel staycation for a day or two. Just make sure that you won’t be bringing any paper work during your vacation, okay?

E-xercise. It’s easier said than done. Can you still remember when was the last time you hit the gym? Or where you placed the abs flexer you bought for yourself last Christmas? Stretch your body or run a few kilometers regularly because it will also make you a more productive employee when you are fit and well. And also, pushing the shopping cart is not considered an exercise.

R-ight diet. I’m sure as early as now you have already received invitations to different Christmas parties and gatherings with friends. You  will feast on very generous dining tables and soon you’ll realize that you have gained weight. If you want to avoid this, choose healthy food, don’t overeat and resist the call of the lechon saying, “Eat me!”
 

N-ot too much alcohol. Over drinking liquor can hurt you in many ways. You can either be involved in a vehicular accident, get headache the morning after you drown in alcohol, or be seriously ill. Know when to say stop. Don’t listen to your friends who teases you to drink more. Follow the "instructions" indicated on the label of your brandy: "Drink moderately".

 C-heer up! Christmas time means happiness. Unless you’re the Grinch, you are excused to frown and hate the holidays. Be merry and create happy memories with your colleagues. Smile, laugh and have fun. Spread good vibes. It will not only make you healthy physically but it also promotes a healthy relationship with others.

To double your tolerance against all sorts of sickness that the busy holiday season brings, be sure to equip yourself with a trusted brand like Fern-C, the leading non-acidic vitamins in the country. It gives three benefits to the body if a dose is taken everyday--- immunity system booster to protect your body from flu, dengue and other illness, anti-oxidant that fights against the effects of free radicals and cancer, and collagen producer to make your skin looking young.

Wishing you all a merry Fern-C Christmas and a healthy new year!

To know more about Fern-C, visit their official website www.fern-c.com, like their official FB fanpage fb.com/ferncofficial and follow @FERNCOnline on Twitter and @fernofficial on Instagram.     

My APEC Experiece at GoodAh!!!

While many Filipinos and foreign observers from differet parts of the world are all eys on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperatio (APEC) Summit, I decided to avoid the Manila area and went to the “only” 25-hour food establishment in the world --- GoodAh!!! in Metro Walk, Ortigas, Pasig City.

I case you don’t know yet, GoodAh!!! has its own APEC--- Appetizing Plates Eating Challenge, that is.

I was ready to take on my usual order of the Original Tapsilog when I was informed that there are two new appetizing plates in the menu that are sure to challenge the taste and want of any foodie in town. Welcome their latest offerigs Tapa Flakes and Tapa Bacon. Collectively, the three irresistible meals are dubbed as “Tapa Festival.”

Choosing just one among the three beef treats was a not an easy decision. I have one hungry to feed but my taste buds seems can’t decide which one should I order since all looks equally delicious.

In the end, I accepted the challenge of taking on the three said meals in one sitting. After an hour of munching, I want to share my short yet honest review of each plate.

Original Tapsilog (P114) is 100% marinated beef sirloin served with garlic fried rice, sunny side-up egg with atchara. It’s an all-time favorite that  in every munch I’d subconsciously utter, “Iba pa din ang orig!”

Tapa Bacon (P199) is served in strips of pork belly marinated with powdered smoked flavor and spices served with garlic fried rice, sunny side-up egg and atchara. It is heavenly crispy and yummy that gives me a new reason to come back to GoodAh!!! more often.

Tapa Flakes (P129) are shredded beef flanks cook adobo style and dip fry served with garlic fried rice, sunny side-up egg and atchara. It is a delight in the mouth in every bite.

 

GoodAh!!! is open anytime of the day from Mondays to Saturdays. Visit any of their six locations namely Metrowalk, Eastwood, Gate 5, Market Market, Bicutan and Sucat. You can also order via 470-7070.

Now who says the APEC fever is just for those who have access to the special lanes along EDSA or head of states and the authorities. Experince APEC at GoodAh!!! and have one happy tummy like mine.

Where to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens during the Metro Manila Film Festival

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has been a part of the Christmas celebration of many Filipinos. It is one of those sure things to happen every holiday season just like the parol, Christmas tree, bibingka and puto bungbong, and your ninong and ninang temporarily relocating homes.

After all, MMFF has been in existence for 41 years. Even older than your very much-married “feeling hunk” officemate who still preys helpless OJTs and new hires.

Anyways, for the curious souls, here are the eight (8) official MMFF entries (from 21 nominees) this year in no particular order (although obviously, I will mention last the one my family will watch):

Beauty and the Bestie – Vice Ganda and Coco Martin teams up with #JaDine and try to kick this action comedy to box-office success

All You Need is Pag-ibig – Kris Aquino and son Bimby brings this family/ romantic comedy with the help of Derek Ramsay’s abs.

Buy Now, Die Later – Alex Gonzaga and Vhong Navarro tries to resurrect their respective careers with this horror, suspense, thriller (terrifying redundancy with the use of words).

Haunted Mansion – Janella Salvador tries to OMG us with a cast of thousand newbies in this another horror, suspense, thriller (now It’s becoming creepier).

Honor Thy Father – John Lloyd Cruz gives everything (including his medicine kit full of Biogesic) in this (take a deep breath) action/ drama/ suspense/ thriller/ crime (breath out).

Walang Forever – Jennylyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales team up in this romantic comedy of two of the gorgeous faces in local showbiz today (I hope I did not sound bitter).

Nilalang – Maria Ozawa. Nuff said.

My Pabebe Love: #KiligPaMore – I’ll be lucky if I can get a decent seat any day during the first week showing of this first #AlDub feature. Might as well join the twitter party instead and watch on January.

Now if you feel not watching any of the films mentioned and you are about to start an online petition on for Malacañang to allow of J.J. Abram’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens to be shown during MMFF week, don’t exert any effort because I will tell you where to watch this much-awaited sci-fi giant in the Philippines this December.

Here’s a portion of the article “The Force awakens MMFF 2015” publish on The Philippine Star last November 8.  I would love to rewrite it but I got a call for a meeting now so I’ll just quote the “important” item.

“The seventh franchise of the Star Wars saga opens globally on Dec. 17 and closes on Dec. 24 in the Philippines as required by law. The MMFF opens on Dec. 25. Only new Filipino film productions are allowed to screen during its two-week run. Regular screenings resume after it ends on Jan. 7 such as The Force Awakens on Jan. 8.

With one major exemption. The Force Awakens continues screening in 3D and IMAX theaters as allowed by the MMFF rules. For about double the regular price of an MMFF ticket, it will continue to screen in IMAX Aura Premier, Cebu, Clark, Lanang Premier, Mall of Asia, Megamall, North EDSA and Southmall.”

So there you go. Now you know where to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens during the Metro Manila Film Festival.

The UE Red Warriors, Forrest Gump and in Loving Arms

As a sports fan, I would sometimes associate the world to a basketball, not only because of their round shape but also from the lessons we can derive from them. They are actually wonderfully connected.

As we take on our journey on Earth, we should learn how to dribble our way towards our goal. However, in every drive we make, expect that there will be attempts to steal your chance to score or block you as you shoot for your dream. Just remember that if someone fouls you or forces you to commit a turnover, learn how to bounce back and rebound and for sure you will meet trusted teammates along the way who will assist you to victory.

I may sound like a sports geek but that’s how I love the basketball. Playing and watching games is one of the things that make my world wonderful. Imagine the heart-stopping game winning shot, the incredible plays of your idols, and the loudest scream of fans in every championship of your favourite team.  I have cheered for many basketball organizations but as hardcourt heroes who I admire retire, I would change teams. But if there is one sports team that I will forever follow by heart for as long as I live, it will be the Red Warriors of my dear Alma Mater, the University of the East.

Watching every game of the Warriors, either at home or live in the coliseums, brings me back the memories of my wonderful college years. Like my team, I struggle for years as I was forced to work while studying. Just imagine the difficulties I have to endure to juggle paper works and term papers. But I did not lose hope and eventually graduated because like a true warrior, I forever believe that if I want to achieve something, I should fight for it with all my might.

Aside from sports, I also love watching movies. It can be action, suspense, fantasy or comedy. I always find time to catch a film at home or movie houses and it serves as one way of relaxing from a week-long grind in the office.   I have a thing about the classics especially award-winning films because you are guaranteed that you will gain a lesson or two aside from the fact that it is high-quality and wonderfully made.

I have shortlist of my all-time favorite films but Tom Hank’s Forrest Gump is on top. For the longest time, I have always seen the movie as the story of a man and his epic journey through life meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture and experiencing first-hand historic events of the late 20th century while being largely unaware of their significance, due to his intellectual disability. But when I become a father, I learned to appreciate the significant role of Sally Field who acted as Forrest’s loving mom.

Mrs. Gump was Forrest’s pillar of strength. She was the only one who believed her son can be as good as other kids. She remained blind to discouragement and raised Forrest with a lot of “mother always says” lessons in life that may sometime sounds funny but had sense. Who can ever forget the classic line from the film, “My momma always said: Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Or how about the smart and funny line “Stupid is stupid does?” I also have a Mrs. Gump in my life and her name is Nanay Conchit, the most remarkable woman in my life who has given everything she has and whatever she can just to make our lives wonderful.

At the end of the day, I would always thank God how lucky I am that despite of the many stumbles and failures I have experienced in life, I have two pairs of loving arms to embrace me whatever happens. I have a home in my wife’s hugs and kisses and I have something to look forward to everyday in my son’s sweet caress.

That’s how wonderful my life is today. And the better news is that I have my family to share a lifetime of more wonderful moments as we take on life’s ups and down, travel the globe and continue to search what are true purpose in this journey called life.

Philippine Airlines flies to Auckland, New Zealand starting December 2015.
Book now at www.philippineairlines.com.