Category: Health

Protect your liver against Hepatitis B

Posted on by jane

Hepatitis B is a silent killer. Many Filipinos may be carriers of this virus without manifesting any symptoms. In the Philippines, Hepatitis B affects about 16.7% of adult Filipinos. That translates to approximately 8 million people! If not treated, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can develop into chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. In more than two-thirds of all liver cancer cases in the Philippines, the cause is Hepatitis B, making it the second leading cancer killer here.

Young mothers should be especially vigilant against HBV because the most common way of being infected is through the passing of the virus from mother to child. This is not something many mothers know because HBV is more known for being contracted via blood transfusion.

For this reason, the Hepatology Society of the Philippines launched the B Aware Campaign which aims “to inform and holistically educate Filipinos about the disease so they can gain sufficient knowledge regarding this very common infection, and take action” says Dr. Eternity Labio, President of the Hepatology Society of the Philippines.

What are the steps that should be taken to protect one’s self and one’s children against Hepatitis B?

1. Be Tested – The most important first step is to go for testing

2. Be Vaccinated – Someone who tests negative can receive vaccination to prevent themselves from getting the infection. Parents are reminded to have their infants vaccinated within 24 hours of birth (this is different from when my own kids were still babies. We had to wait several months before giving the 3 HBV shots to them). This vaccine is mandatory under R.A. 10152 and is free for all infants. Vaccination at birth is the most effective way to prevent lifelong infection and liver cancer.

3. Be Treated – If you test positive, steps must be taken to prevent transmission of the infection as well as to prevent its complications to the liver. Ask your doctor if you need treatment. There are effective medications available to treat HBV.

World Health Organization and Hepatology Society of the Philippines members

Another concern over HBV is the seeming discrimination against those who have contracted it. According to Dr. Labio, one of the medical tests administered to those applying for employment here and abroad is a test for HBV. While the HIV test is still optional, the one for HBV is mandatory. It then puts those who test positive at a disadvantage in relation to other applicants. She says that there is still a lot that needs to be done to make people change this negative perception against HBV

The Hepatology Society of the Philippines invites Filipinos to join them in their B Aware Campaign. First, to educate the public on what it is all about, its symptoms, vaccines and treatments. Second, to get people to actually be tested, vaccinated and treated. And third, to change negative perception towards those who have contracted it.

GSK takes up the fight against dengue with Calpol’s fever management

Posted on by jane

I’ve had dengue. Two of my kids have had dengue. And one of them (and me) had to have blood plasma transfusions. I can still remember the feeling of having absolutely no energy and no appetite. And when my kids had it, it was doubly difficult for me to watch them, praying that the virus would just run its course without anything worse happening to them. I actually had friends who lost their child to dengue.

Although known to be a tropical country disease, dengue is surprisingly making its way into colder countries. Japan, just recently, was reported to have found cases of dengue among their citizens. Climate change is now spreading the risk of this mosquito-borne disease far and wide, beyond tropical boundaries. At the moment there is no dengue vaccine that is commercially available although recent news talk about one that is being developed.

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease in the world and is more rampant in tropical countries such as the Philippines. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, usually seen in the early hours of the morning and early evening, and has white stripes on its legs, affects more children than adults. Those at higher risk are children aged one to nine years old.


Dengue can present itself with symptoms similar to other diseases — high fever that comes and goes, headaches, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, abdominal pain, muscle and joint aches, rashes, and even bleeding so oftentimes it can be difficult to diagnose at the onset because sometimes it can even look like flu at first.

The alarming number of cases diagnosed in the Philippines, as well as the number of deaths, is really of concern to parents like me. I was shocked to learn that in 2013, a total of 204,906 dengue cases were diagnosed, with 660 deaths while in 2014, 24,800 dengue cases have already been reported with 100 deaths. (Source: ToDOH Laban sa Dengue brochure)

(L-R): Jeofrey Yulo (GM of GSK), DOH rep, and Dr. Sally Gatchalian

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Pediatric Society in spearheading a campaign, “Aksyon Laban sa Dengue: A Dengue Fever Awareness and Education Program”. They’ve also set up a Barangay Caravan which will bring these efforts down to the grassroots level. I think this campaign is laudable because it is those in the grassroots level most exposed to breeding grounds of the dengue mosquito. They are also the ones least likely to immediately bring their kids to the hospital because of cost considerations.

Dr. Sally Gatchalian

Dr. Sally Gatchalian, secretary of the Philippine Pediatric Society, gave tips on how to take care of a patient who is already diagnosed with dengue:

1. Professional help is required for severe cases of dengue.
2. Supportive care should be given to patients to complement hospital treatment – While the patient is letting dengue run its course, the only thing that can help, aside from proper hydration, is managing the fever.
3. Do not give steroids – The WHO has recommended paracetamol as the recommended analgesic treatment for dengue fever. Aspirin and ibuprofen are NOT recommended since they may aggravate bleeding.
4. Regularly monitor platelets.
5. Keep detailed records of fluid intake and outputs.

Dr. Sally also enumerated the 4S of Dengue Prevention, according to the DOH:

1. Search and destroy source of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed – Mosquitoes breed in clear water. Some things you can do – change water in vases once a week, clean your roof’s drain pipes,  clean the inside and outside of pails and other receptacles, ensure that no water is left in dish holders of refrigerators, cover all water reservoirs, and overturn all receptacles used for storing water.
2. Seek immediate consultation if child has fever lasting more than 2 days. – Remember…give paracetamol, not aspirin or ibuprofen!
3. Say yes to discriminate fogging only when there is an epidemic. – If done properly, fogging can also kill mosquitoes aside from driving them away. But they are only recommended in cases of outbreak and during peak biting time.
4. Self protection measures. – Use mosquito nets, apply insect repellant, and where possible, wear long-sleeved shirts.

Calpol, GSK’s paracetamol product, is specially designed to provide relief from the discomfort of high fever, chills and pain that plagues mostly children. Since paracetamol is widely suited to most people, it is considered safe even for children, if used as directed.
Calpol is available in three different formulations:
* 100mg/mL infant drops 10mL (for 0-2 yrs old, PhP 49.25)
* 120mg/5mL suspension for 2-6 yrs old, 60ml (PhP 80.50) & 120mL (PhP 133.75)
* 250mg/mL suspension 60mL (for 6-12 yrs old, PhP 123.75).
It is also available in two (2) flavors: orange and strawberry.

Watch out for the “Aksyon Laban sa Dengue” caravan which is set to visit barangays within Metro Manila identified with high cases of dengue incidence. The DOH will initially facilitate the training of health practitioners to discuss new incidences and trends as well as prevention and treatment of dengue. The Philippine Pediatric Society health committee will then cascade the dengue modules to the selected barangays. GSK, on the other hand, will be bringing doctors to the areas to lead the dengue information campaign so that Filipinos can protect their loved ones from this deadly disease.

Goodbye, Pangingilo! (Tooth Sensitivity)

Posted on by jane
I’m NGILO-phobic. (‘Ngilo’ is Filipino for tooth sensitivity)

Anyone who has drank cold water, eaten ice cream or chomped down on frozen desserts knows fully well what ngilo feels like. A sharp pain hits you as the nerves around your teeth react to the cold. I used to be one of those poor souls. And for someone who loves ice cream, this was just awful. Often, I’d wait for the ice cream to melt a bit so that I could spoon the liquid into my mouth with less chances of ngilo. And did you know that 9 out of 10 Filipinos (that’s a whopping 88M Pinoys) suffer to some degree from tooth sensitivity? That’s the majority of the populace!

Luis Manzano, Sensodyne‘s brand ambassador, shares my horrible experience because he, too suffers from tooth sensitivity. According to him, times like meetings and enjoyable social events are cut short because of pangingilo. “I just endure the pain so it doesn’t ruin my day or my night out”, he said during the event.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has had Sensodyne for a long time now and it has grown to be the No. 1 sensitivity brand in the market recommended by dentists against pangingilo. But it was always viewed as a higher-end toothpaste brand that not many can afford on a regular basis but only upon dental prescription. GSK is now committed to stop the suffering of Filipinos by making Sensodyne affordable. Their message? “Say No to Ngilo!“

The GSK Sensodyne team with Luis Manzano and Angel Jacob

So how does a top-rated brand like Sensodyne become available to the Filipino public without breaking their budget? Think sari-sari store concept. Yes, the Philippines is the first country in the world where Sensodyne is being introduced in sachet format. And each sachet only costs PhP 10. Everyone can now afford Sensodyne because it is now available in tingi-tingi (Filipino slang for sachet) form.

The sari-sari store concept was what inspired Sensodyne’s sachet format

There are several variants of Sensodyne now aside from its flagship variant.

The original Sensodyne contains potassium nitrate to depolarize the nerve and protect it from firing. Using it twice a day in brushing ensures the nerve response will be gradually blocked and pain is relieved.

The Sensodyne Rapid Relief variant contains strontium acetate, an element similar to calcium. It replaces some of the calcium lost from dentine and blocks the exposed tubules within dentinal tissue. This in turn prevents the flow of the fluid within the tubules that otherwise cause tooth pain.

The Sensodyne Repair & Protect contains advanced NovaMin technology, scientifically proven to help repair sensitive teeth by forming a tooth-like layer over exposed dentine to help continually repair and protect sensitive areas.

A Few More FAQs on Sensodyne

* Sensodyne is recommended for kids aged 12 and above. Younger kids do not really suffer from tooth sensitivity because it hits older kids and adults.

* Brushing with Sensodyne is recommended twice a day to ensure the anti-ngilo ingredients work best

Most Filipinos now have a chance to get rid of their pangingilo woes once and for all with the affordable sachet format. Ngilo will now be a thing of the past for Pinoys.

Lead a great life in spite of asthma

Posted on by jane

I come from a family with a history of asthma. I myself had childhood asthma though not too severe and during a couple of pregnancies, it came back even if I had already outgrown it. I also had to deal with asthma during the growing years of all my kids and I have to tell you that it is no joke.

Asthma is what I call “traydor na sakit” (traitor disease). It doesn’t look too alarming but in reality, it has been the cause of many deaths even among young people. The triggers can happen any time and anywhere — something you eat, something in the air — and suddenly your airways start to constrict. You start having difficulty breathing and it creates panic and pressure on the heart as well. Several celebrities in the past died young just because of an asthma episode, including a young model.

At a recent GSK event, I listened to one of the GSK doctors, Dr. Bernadette Arcilla, talk about asthma. It affects about 10.7M people in the Philippines now. 250,000 annual deaths worldwide are attributed to asthma. Of those deaths, majority are 45 years old and older. With children, asthma is the most frequent cause of absenteeism from school, emergency visits and hospitalization. Scary stats. I can remember so many instances when we’d rush to the emergency room of the hospital because one of our kids could not breathe well and would be wheezing. We always had a nebulizer with us at home and on trips. When they were older, they had to be taught to use an inhaler and carry this with them all the time.

But asthmatics are fighting back. And, hopefully, winning the war against asthma. That is a very important inspirational message for so many Pinoys who are similarly affected by asthma. Your life is not curtailed by it. You can still live a meaningful life and engage even in sports in spite of your condition.

At the event, two local celebrities, who were asthmatics, shared about their own battles against asthma  — Kim Chiu and Arnel Pineda of Journey.

Here are videoclips showing just how they are trying to battle asthma, and win over it:

Hopefully, this Win Against Asthma campaign spearheaded by GSK will bring to the forefront a greater awareness and understanding of asthma — that it is not a debilitating condition, and that people who are asthmatic, with proper treatment and cooperation with doctors and their own personal knowledge on how and when to use the different medicines, can lead the lives they dream of. Just like Kim Chiu and Arnel Pineda.

Brush, brush, brush your teeth…and stay healthy!

Posted on by jane

If you think that brushing one’s teeth is simply for beauty and fresh breath, here’s one more piece of info you’ll surely appreciate. It will actually keep you more healthy!

Why is it that when we wake in the morning, our breath is so eeeewy??? That’s because our mouths were closed all night, allowing bacteria to accumulate and multiply. Because these bacteria are able to feed on some food sediments left, their waste products which are sulfur-based, emit a pungent smell.

Can you imagine if you start your day by taking breakfast immediately and drinking water or coffee? All that bacteria that multiplied overnight go right back into your system. Very unhealthy! Get rid of all that bacteria by brushing upon waking up.

Just recently tried Pepsodent toothpaste.
The blue paste has Perlite, a whitening ingredient.
The white paste has fluoride and calcium for stronger, healthier teeth.


In the U.S., medical organizations recommend brushing teeth at least twice a day. The first one should be done right upon waking up. Your school kids need to brush their teeth even before they go for breakfast and definitely before going to school!

In one of its articles on Oral Health, the world-famous Mayo Clinic’s top tip is to “brush your teeth at least twice a day”.  WebMD, a leading online medical reference site, also recommends brushing at least twice a day, saying that thrice is best. In fact, it goes further to say that what is considered adequate brushing is 2 minutes at least, 3 minutes at best. A tip to get this done right: In your mind, divide your tongue into 4 quadrants and brush each quadrant for 30 seconds to get that precious 2 minutes in. How can you tell how long is 2 minutes? Sing a song in your head that is around that length of time.

If you are parents of toddlers and small kids, brushing time can indeed be a challenge. If you’re wondering just how to keep your kids preoccupied long enough so that they indeed get that good 2 minutes of brushing time in, here are a few tips I can think of to make brushing time hassle-free for your small kids:

1. Let it become an adventure, not a chore – Take your kid away from something they love just to brush, expect a lot of whining and crying. But if brushing time is part of an imaginary adventure, then the fun continues, right? You can weave a magical story with brushing as one of the scenes in the story. If they have a rubberized toy or doll, that toy can be given its own toothbrush and you can help your kid brush while he/she brushes the teeth of his/her toy. Here’s an idea from Pepsodent. Let them sing along to the song “Brushing Can Be Fun“!

2. Keep them preoccupied with Pepsodent’s downloadable Funloadables that include a Brushing Calendar and a Pepsochallenge Word Search. To download, visit Pepsodent’s Facebook Page.

They say it takes 28 days for something to become a habit. If we can use as many useful tools (such as the Pepsodent Brushing Calendar) to help our kids make frequent brushing a habit, not only will we make less trips to the dentist but we will actually be keeping them healthier.

And oh, by the way, that goes for us adults too! 🙂

Find Pepsodent here:
Facebook Page: facebook.com/PepsodentPhilippines
Website: Pepsodent in Unilever website

Be confident with Swish Breath Spray

Posted on by jane

A few weeks back, I got samples of a new breath freshener in town. Made by Unilab, it’s called Swish Breath Spray and comes in two variants – Arctic Chill and Peppermint Fresh.

The 2 variants came in a box when I got it

Up close: Peppermint Fresh on top, Arctic Chill at the bottom
Swish Breath Spray beside my Apple mouse

I’ve been testing it out over the past weeks. In the past, I used to carry around this brand of breath fresheners in the form of tiny mint candies. While those kinds did have the peppermint-y taste, it still felt like candy to me. In fact, I’d hate to pop one into my mouth after I brushed my teeth because it left a candy aftertaste on my tongue.

Because the Swish Breath Spray is, yes, a spray, that candy aftertaste issue is moot. All I have to do nowadays is aim the nozzle into the back of my mouth, spray, and I’m done.
This is what I like about Swish Breath Spray.
* It’s alcohol-free and sugar-free.
* It’s handy and tiny (something we ladies always like for small purses) but good for about 100 sprays
* It effectively kills germs and bacteria that cause bad breath
The variant in my everyday bag right now is the Arctic Chill. It’s packs a wallop so even if the instructions say I can pump 1-2 sprays, just 1 is enough for me. Can’t wait to try the Peppermint one. I saved it for last because Peppermint is my favorite flavor. Haha…
Swish Breath Spray is available in supermarkets, drug stores and convenience stores nationwide. It retails at PhP 105.

Human Nature now has a flagship store!

Posted on by jane

My family is slowly but surely moving out of a chemical-filled lifestyle into one that incorporates organic and natural products and this includes the consumer products we use. We’re not at 100%, maybe not even at 50%, but my kids and I are becoming more conscious about the choices we make.

One brand that is very much present at home is Human Nature. My daughters and I have been using Human Nature products in place of some of our usual cosmetics. Recently, my daughter and I got the chance to visit the Human Nature Flagship Store – their very first concept store – in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

Anna Meloto-Wilk, President of Human Nature, welcomed us and gave a brief background on how Human Nature came about.

Designed by two young and talented Filipina architects (Mau Adraneda and Joyce Angara), the interiors were made to look like an enchanted forest in the midst of a concrete jungle.

Forest ambience, beautiful layout, warm lights

Products laid out around the trunk of the “tree”
Nice idea! Products arranged in heart shapes!

A dedicated kiddie corner while Mom and Dad shop

What impressed me about the Human Nature Flagship Store was their willingness to support and host other world-class Filipino Social Enterprises to showcase the different ways our local materials can be transformed into world-class products.

In one corner of the store was a beautifully lighted wooden and bamboo display area that showcased non-Human Nature items. It allows people shopping at Human Nature to support these other 100% Filipino social enterprises as well.

This corner showcases non-Human Nature items. See those 2 cream chairs?
They are made of Kraft carton boards only!

Cafe de Sug: Gawad Kalinga’s famous coffee from Sulu

Jacinto & Lirio: recycling the lowly hyacinth (water lilies) into luxury leather bags

Rattan Man: Dumagat Niete plates
Rags2Riches: eco-ethical fashion and and home accessories
made from scrap cloth and organic materials
Enchantea: healthy iced tea from the GK Enchanted Farm
Golden Eggs: salted duck eggs without the toxic food color (they use turmeric!)

Theo & Philo: the only 100% bean-to-bar Filipino artisan chocolates

Bambrew: food that contains bamboo
Whoa, a Bambike (bamboo bike)!!!

After the main blogger event, my girl and I had a great time shopping and bonding, checking out new stuff, discussing the products, testing some of them. She actually ended up buying more than me (she said she might as well shop for her stuff while she was there).

The concept store is quite a-ways from where I live but I think we would love to come visit every so often and shop in comfort in this green, beautifully designed, cozy store. Now if only they could find an ideal spot where I live – that would be perfect!

Human Nature Flagship Store
460 Commonwealth Avenue
Quezon City
Tel (02) 931-5787

DiabetaMil: Healthy Food Choices Not Just for Diabetics

Posted on by jane

Diabetes is one of the top causes of death worldwide. A study done by the World Health Organization in August 2011 showed that in the Philippines, more than 2.7 million deaths in 2000 were diabetes-related. And most of the time, people do not die of diabetes. They die of complications arising from diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputation, kidney disease and nerve problems. My own dad was a diabetic who died 10 years ago from heart complications.

Because diabetes is in our family history, I have to be conscious about what I eat. Thankfully, my sugar level does not seem to show any signs of diabetes but I still had to learn to tame my once sweet tooth. I also try to teach my kids to choose healthier meal and snack alternatives since diabetes can oftentimes skip a generation and manifest in their generation.

I recently got a sample of a cookie snack item drink made specifically for diabetics as well as for those who just want to have healthier food choices.

DiabetaMil Nutritious Drink can be a meal substitute for diabetics. It comes in two flavors: vanilla and chocolate. Cereal and oat flakes in the drink give that feeling of fullness and curb appetite. Each box contains 6 sachets and based on directions, each serving involves mixing 2 sachets of the drink with warm water. One serving is 250 calories.
The DiabetaMil Cookies come in Nutty Chocolate and Vanilla Dried Fruit variants. I got the dried fruit variant and liked the dried raisins that were embedded in the cookies. Each box contains 5 sachets, two cookies per sachet. One serving (2 cookies) contains 100 calories. I ate the cookies in one sachet and they taste good.

 

Both the drink and cookies are sugar-free. They are flavored using Tropicana Slim Sweetener, a sugar-free sweetener known for a low glycemic index (GI) which helps to control blood sugar. (Note: I had no chance to test the exact effect on the GI so I am relying on the representations made)

All variants of DiabetaMil are said to contain a higher amount of chromium polynicotinate, which is believed to help keep blood sugar levels in check by improving the way the body uses insulin.

If you have diabetes, this could be something you may want to add to your list of food choices. But, as it is with any medical condition, I recommend you check first with your dietitian.

The Reflex Zone – Rwo Shur health method of reflexology

Posted on by jane

I could not resist an invitation to a reflexology experience at The Reflex Zone, a natural therapy center which is the first of its kind in the Philippines that follows the Rwo Shur health method of reflexology.  Little did I know (till afterwards) that the owners (Alex and Jamie Coyiuto) are the son and daughter-in-law of friends.

There is no doubt that massage has a healing property. Mothers are told to touch and massage their babies lightly and studies have shown that massaged babies grow up with a greater sense of well-being than those who are not massaged.

But massage is not necessarily reflexology. Reflexology is a natural form of therapy that uses pressure applied to specific reflex points on the feet which correspond to different glands, organs and body systems. Pressure applied to these points breaks up crystalline deposits of uric acid, calcium and lactic acid as well as clears blockages and releases toxins in those areas. Massage is meant to relax the parts being massaged; reflexology works through the nervous system to heal ALL parts of the body.

Foot chart pressure zone legend (partial)

The Reflex Zone’s type of reflexology is called Rwo Shur Health Method of Reflexology. This has been in existence for over 30 years now. Developed by Fr. Josef Eugster, a Swiss Catholic priest and missionary in Taiwan, it is done using just the bare hands, unlike Xiamen or Thai reflexology that involves a wooden stick that is pressed into the different pressure points.


Fr. Josef himself was healed from a debilitating severe rheumatoid arthritic condition when, upon the urgings of a colleague, applied reflexology on himself. He became a self-taught reflexologist and over time, healed many people. Rwo Shur is Fr. Josef’s Chinese name. Watch this old video with Fr. Josef’s testimony and another one with an actual demonstration:


The Reflex Zone has only 7 licensed male therapists. All of them were trained on the Rwo Shur methodology in Malaysia. We asked, why male therapists only? Apparently, studies showed that the males had a more consistent pressure on the feet.

My friend Michelle and I occupied the first treatment area closest to the foyer. Every seat was a lazyboy so I was quite comfortable. Side tables beside the therapists’ chairs contained a drawer for one’s shoes.

One of the treatment areas

The first step consisted of a 20-minute Peppermint Crystal Mud Food Soak. A kind of powder was sprinkled on the hot water in our foot basin and as I swished my feet around to mix the powdery solution, I felt the water hardening, much like the solidifying of gelatin.

Water is still almost all liquid

This is what it looks like after turning gelatinous and the sensation is heavy
(like you are swimming in gelatin)

After the soak, dissolving powder turns the gelatinous solution back into watery form

A quick pumice foot scrub ends the first part. Step 2 was the actual reflexology treatment which lasted about 60 minutes. My physical therapist was Jorel and as he began pressing on different parts of the feet, pushing, pinching, or kneading, he’d explain to me what organs were affected. Most of the time, I felt no pain but definitely, there were some areas that hurt (one of which involved the gall bladder). I’m having myself checked for that soon.

Pinching
Kneading

On their website, they posted a list of medical conditions that can be positively affected by the Rwo Shur Signature Therapy method.

They also offer reflexology for children aged 5-8 years old consisting of a 20 minute foot soak and 40 minutes reflexology. The Reflex Zone also posted these children’s conditions that can be helped by their reflexology.
To me, the real test of an effective reflexology treatment is how well I sleep at night. For a long time now, my blogging has kept me awake past midnight. Although I had been trying to reverse this by slowly trying to sleep earlier, sometimes I’d lie awake at night with my body still active. But after my Reflex Zone reflexology, around 10:30 that night, my eyes were dropping already and I felt like going to bed. Yes, it was one of the soundest sleep I’d ever had in a long time. I’m going back there soon.

The rates are not bad at all:

Signature Therapy: PhP 1,000
Children’s Reflexology: PhP 850

Thank you, Reflex Zone, Alex and Jamie, and Jorel for making my reflexology treatment a very stimulating and restful one.
With Reflex Zone owners Alex and Jamie Coyiuto
The Reflex Zone (www.reflexzone.om.ph)
Ground Floor, Narra Building
2275 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati City
Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 1pm to 10pm
For appointments/queries, call 812-0050 or email info@reflexzone.com.ph

Add a PLUS to life with Enercal Plus

Posted on by jane

Do you find your days so busy that you hardly notice what you are putting into your mouth? Busyness and stress make a deadly combination for those of us in the urban jungle. We skip meals or eat unhealthy fast foods. We sleep late and wake up early. Stress constantly bombards and attacks our immune system, filling up our bodies with toxins that eventually manifest as illnesses.

Is that what living life to the fullest means? Of course not! And well, I can be guilty of forgetting to take care of myself at times too due to the things I have to do not just as a Mom but as a blogger too.

So it was interesting to find that there is a new adult nutritional supplement in town – Enercal Plus.

If you’re a label reader (and I hope you are because the label never lies), then you’ll be interested in seeing exactly what’s inside Enercal Plus.

It’s got antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C and E; zinc and beta carotene to combat oxidative damage by boosting and strengthening one’s immune system; and macronutrients to support the body’s energy needs. It’s also high in Vitamin D which helps the body utilize calcium and phosphorus, which are important in bone maintenance. It also contains whey protein, a good source of essential amino acids needed by the body, is easily absorbed to provide quicker muscle repair. Enercal Plus has no transfat and its cholesterol content meets the criteria prescribed by the American Heart Association.

You can take a glass of Enercal with your meals or in between meals. We were made to sample it at the event and it tastes like soya milk, one of my favorite beverages.


Three of Enercal’s brand ambassadors were presented to us and truly, each one of them was the epitome of a busy life.

Paolo Bediones is a broadcast journalist with TV5 and now anchors the late night newscast, Aksyon JournalisMo. As Paolo was describing his work schedule with just a few hours of stolen sleep in between, going from a morning show to tapings for his programs, running his businesses, performing with his band and supervising his soccer team, I was thinking — MAN, when do you sleep?

I got to meet and speak with model-turned-actress and host, Angel Aquino. With tapings for her ABS-CBN drama series, “Maria la del Barrio” and doing other shows as well as indie movies and commercials, she still finds time as a full-time mom. In spite of all her work, she manages to look always refreshed. No signs of eyebags at all!

Jett Pangan, the third brand ambassador, is an icon in the local music scene. He fronts for a popular Filipino rock band, The Dawn, as a singer and guitarist. And he is part of the cast of the musical play, Next To Normal.

How inspiring that despite their marathon schedules, they are able to go around looking refreshed and energized. Well, of course, it helps that they now drink Enercal Plus.

I’ve got my own sample of Enercal Plus. You can be sure I’ll be trying this out soon.

For more information on Enercal Plus, call the Wyeth Careline at 81-WYETH (99384) or the provincial toll-free number 1-800-10-884-2222.