Happy New Year!

2009 has been a challenging yet rewarding year for the vanity doctor.  It was this year that this blog has been recognized, which opened doors for more opportunities. Sorry that it had to take an award to push me to write more often in this site which I almost abandoned. To all the readers of this blog,  I wish you a more fabulous year in 2010! Even if you hardly make your presence felt in the comments section, as long as you're getting more gorgeous with each visit to this blog, that's fine with me. New year means renewal of auto insurance quotes but here's hoping for prosperity in every endeavor and better health for all of us! Stay beautiful, people!

Rolling With The Homies

A pre-debut shoot for Camille who will be celebrating her birthday on early summer, next year. Photos were taken by Dustein Sibug. Makeup by yours truly.

I noticed the semblance of our model, Camille, with young actress Maja Salvador as I was doing her makeup. The glamour rendered by Dustein's photos further leaves you wondering if she's part of Star Magic's stable of talents.

Yes, there are indeed lots of pretty faces and talented photographers in Cagayan de Oro. The only thing we lack is the magazine to put all these fabulous fashion spreads.

Melai's Transformation

If you're a viewer of Pinoy Big Brother Double-Up, you were probably one of those mesmerized with the transformation of the funny crowd favorite, Melai. She underwent a makeover to prepare her for a celebrity date with actor Jericho Rosales.

Melissa Cantiveros is a teacher from General Santos city who cracks up the PBB house with her natural candor and witty remarks, hence was tagged as the resident "kengkay." She does not see herself as an enchanting beauty despite her winsome personality and Fastin-svelte figure. Instead, her comedic tendencies deem her a threat to Pokwang, the famous local comedienne. The disparaging self-assessment of her looks gives her doubts about a fellow housemate's (Jason Francisco's) affection for her.  She has to be constantly reassured that she is beautiful in her own way.

With the help of make up artist Diane de Castro, a Maybelline Color Artist, the transformation that took place needed little effort into convincing Melai about the beauty lurking inside her.  She couldn't contain her excitement on her newly discovered innate loveliness. This is the best thing about the proper application of makeup- it empowers a woman's self-esteem. She obviously loved the way she looked that she didn't want the makeup to go off.

Diane de Castro imparted a natural but sexy look on Melai. The colors are peaches and browns from the eyeshadows to the lipstick. A slight shimmer was added to the apples of the cheeks. The eyebrows were groomed, the lash lines were defined  and the nose was contoured. Simple but amazing.




[caption id="attachment_1919" align="aligncenter" width="492" caption="Before"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1918" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="After"][/caption]

Dear Santa, I Need A High Chair

One of the dilemmas of a make-up artist is having terrible back pains after a gig. We hardly engage in strenuous activities during an event, except for carrying heavy traincases, but the after effects we suffer are similar to being pinned down in a sumo wrestling match (not that I did any wrestling in the past). The pain has to do with all the bending and straining of the back when the client is seated in an ordinary chair. We have to move closer to her face to achieve our desired results. A few hours after, the muscle pain sets in. And you thought our job was easy. Part of our earnings should go to health savings account because of these risks.

Wearing flats and putting pillows on the chair are just not enough. Ideally, the make-up artist chair or high chair is used to prevent this problem. The other day, a client went to our house for prenup make-up and I used the high chair which comes with the mini-bar set at home. The whole process went smoothly, without any back-breaking moves. This is how I want my gigs to go- painless. Unfortunately, the high chair at home cannot fit into the car trunk and I don’t see myself bringing furniture around town. I need a portable type.

About 2 years ago, I saw some makeup artist chairs sold in multiply. It was Php7000. The shipping to my place would surely cost more. My classmate in makeup school told me that they are also available in Quiapo for a cheaper price. Still, the transit cost is a problem. The only solution I could think of is to hire a carpenter and have him follow the design in the picture. If only we had the right materials to copy the lightness of the structure. The last thing I want is another tool heavier than my traincase. After all, I am a make up artist, not a body builder. Unless Santa has plans of enlisting me into the next Ms. Iron Body Contest, I hope he grants my wish for this Christmas. Well, if he could throw in a Flip camera for vlogging along with the high chair, that would be nice. Ok, ok, Santa, I know I’m getting on your nerves. If you could find me well-paying gigs so I could buy my own toys, that would be good enough, thanks!

Behind The Scenes Video

We had a Geisha/Indian Makeup Shoot last Friday for my friend, Malou  who's here for a vacation from the US. She requested for Dustein Sibug of http://dustein.multiply.com, the exceptional photographer who took my Pre-nup and Wedding Photos. Before we did the Geisha Shoot with Audrey, Malou already contacted me to do a Geisha makeup on her. Geisha  just happens to be a most requested look for me these days, I don't know why.

This time, I made the white makeup more opaque but darn, it took forever to blend it. The one on Audrey was much easier to apply because it was transparent white, just like putting makeup on the Twilight characters. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect white base that would pull off a smooth Geisha look as an alternative to its traditional materials, which aren't available here. Perhaps office supplies like the liquid eraser would be a last resort, but I used  Snazaroo and Kryolan water-based white cake on this shoot.

My new apprentice, Jim Russel Cabanag, did the hair. I was holding the camera for this video, so as much as I wanted to document how the makeup was done, my hands were full. The pics that appear on the slide are just my shots. Watch out for the official photos from Dustein Sibug, soon!

Makeup Artist In A Bag

Are you a sucker for makeup tutorials? I just came across Stila's latest product, a portable makeup player that lets you bring your makeup guru in the bag. The Stila Makeup Player is a makeup bag and video player in one. After you download free beauty videos from www.stilabeautytube.com, you can connect the makeup player to an mp3 player or smartphone for audio or video playback right on your traincase.

Aside from the sleek bag and the portable video player, it contains $110 worth of Stila makeups including the One step makeup foundation, Convertible Color for the lips and cheeks, Eyeshadow trio and #7 eyeshadow brush, plus a full sized Lip Glaze. The whole package is worth $250 but is being sold for only $69.90! They're even offering it on 2 installment payments of $34.95.

This is great for makeup newbies who want guidance on the proper application of makeup from the Stila Pros themselves. The bag size is just right for those beginning to build their own stash of makeups. While you do primp yourself up facing the large mirror on the bag, the video will show you how it's done step by step. Even if you already have a cell phone or laptop where you can easily view the tutorials, the affordable price of the whole package is just too good to ignore.

Regine Velasquez in CDO

Last December 4, 2009 at the Limketkai Atrium, Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez took Cagayan de Oro by storm with her rendition of the fans' most requested songs.

Too bad I wasn't there to watch the concert because hubby was on duty, but I watched Regine's show a few years ago in Manila and she's definitely one artist whose performances are worth every penny you spend for the concert ticket.

Buzz around town is that her Eraserheads and Hearts Medley were among the most applauded numbers. Her duet with Jed Madela of "The Prayer" blew people away and sharing the stage with her childhood singing rival, Eva Castillo, was a spectacular showdown of vocal power. Thanks to Youtube, I was able to catch a few clips from the concert.

Team Oro covered the event and one of the photographers, Bon Aserios, permitted me to post some of his shots. Bon is the same photographer I worked with during the Geisha shoot we did about 2 weeks ago.

If you need a photographer for your wedding or portrait shoots, please visit his website at http://bonaserios.com. His rates and contact details are posted on his site.

I enjoyed my Century Bangus Fillet at the Hospital

... At my husband's hospital duty, that is. My hubby goes on 24 hours (or more) duty as an Ophthalmology Resident at a local hospital. Having gone through endless duties myself, I know how physically and mentally taxing it is to be sleepless for several hours yet be constantly on your toes for patients' needs.

When he goes on duty during the weekends, I am his personal catering service provider. I make sure he eats on time and he fuels his body and mind with healthy food. Doctors look after their patients, not minding the hunger pangs as if they are invincible. In turn, they get sick. My husband has hyperacidity and I worry about him not eating right. Last week, I brought him his favorite, the Century Gourmet Bangus Fillet to complete his packed meal.

We are both fans of bangus belly that during groceries, I always include some in the cart. The fat in the belly is something I could consume all to myself without fearing the cholesterol because it's a healthy option. The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are beneficial to the body, fighting off the risks for coronary heart diseases and preventing cancer development, among its many health benefits.

With Century coming up with the Gourmet Bangus Fillet, this was something that really got me excited because we can eat it anytime, anywhere we please. Plus it's got the fat belly that we really crave for! During the recent typhoon Urduja in the city, my hubby was on duty and he narrated that it was flooding outside the hospital when he went out for dinner. To make sure he doesn't go hungry during these times, I put an extra can of Century Gourmet Fillet in his locker during my visit to him. Its easy to open can makes it a trusty companion and a filling gastronomic delight during emergencies and unexpected circumstances that get you stuck somewhere.

We feasted on the Spanish style Century Bangus during lunch break at his call room. Thankfully, there were no emergency calls while we were eating. It was a perfect bonding moment, with Gregory House on the laptop and Century Bangus on our platter. I captured our fun memories and made a video of it. And, oh yeah, did I mention that the Century Gourmet Bangus Fillet was yummy? The video will show how much we enjoyed it.






Note: This blog was a contest entry to Nuffnang's Century Bangus Promo. I was sincere in everything I said although it didn't win. :P

No More Bad Hair Day

One of our readers, Bianca/Sunmom, named a few local manufacturers of organic beauty products in a previous blog post on organics. Human Heart Nature was one of them, thus I researched about it immediately. Surprisingly, upon browsing the goods on the Human Heart Nature website, I noticed  that the prices are very reasonable. Knowing organics, they usually come at a price, but their company proves it otherwise.

Unlike other local online stores that require going to the bank or Globe outlet to transfer payment, the Human Heart Nature online shop conveniently accepts credit cards. Being a supporter of organic products, I took advantage of the affordable prices and purchased some items including the Hair Mask- Intensive Gugo Bark and Avocado (Php 84.75) and the Hair Styling Cream- Acapulco and Mango Butter (Php 89.75).

Hair Mask-Intensive Gugo Bark and Avocado

After shampoo, the Hair Mask is to be left for 30 mins before rinsing. It is said to have strengthening, nourishing and moisturizing properties, boosted with Vitamin E and B complex. The Omega-3 in Avocado helps in restoring moisture and elasticity while the Gugo Bark, a time-tested natural hair enhancer that our grandmothers swear by, nourishes and minimizes hair loss. The addition of organic virgin coconut oil adds shine to worn-out locks.

The ingredients are as follows:

Water, cetrimonium chloride (from palm/vegetable oil), cetyl alcohol (from coconut), organic Entada Phaseoloides (Gugo Bark) extract, organic Persea Americana (Avocado) oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, natural honey extract,  Rosemary fragrance oil, gluconolactone (natural preservative), Rosemary essential oil, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Peppermint essential oil, citric acid, and sodium benzoate.

The peppermint oil makes it a cool and fragrant bath essential that you would want to use often. It is just as effective as hair spas or intensive damage control conditioners sold at department stores, minus the harsh chemicals.

Hair Styling Cream- Acapulco and Mango Butter

I say this is the bomb! This has light to medium hold that affords a great hairstyle without leaving nasty residues. After bath, I apply it on my hair that has been ravaged by regular rebond. As I mentioned before, my hair has frizzy strands that looks fried by the bathroom lights and it isn't easily solved by my usual leave-on conditioners or hair cuticle coats that come with a greasy feel. It had to take an organic hairstyling product to tame my damaged locks.

At first, I dampened my hair with the cream a little too much that throughout the day, I sported a wet-look as though I've been out playing in the rain. By wet, I mean water-wet and not the oil spill kind.  I learned that it only took a little amount to get it working. Noticeably, the frizz were gone and my hair was more manageable without being oily.  The effects are even more remarkable when I use it after the Hair Mask which I don't apply on a daily basis because I'm scrimping and I can't wait for 30 minutes before rinsing it every time.

It contains the following organic ingredients:

mango oil, vegetable-derived cetyl alcohol, mango butter, purified water, Philippine carrageenan, acapulco extract, natural vitamin E,  and peppermint fragrance oil.

On my next order, I'd like to try their organic shampoos and conditioners. For something that you apply daily, wouldn't it give you some peace of mind if you know that you're using products that are environmentally-friendly and healthy? Human Nature's price is not a prohibiting factor so I expect more people turning to organic products eventually. Hopefully, more Filipino companies would take after the example of Human heart nature and offer quality products from natural resources found locally.

Human Heart Nature has a satellite office in La Palma, California. Readers from the USA can order online from the Human Heart Nature US website.

Geishock

Last Saturday, we had a Japanese-themed photoshoot with multi-faceted artist Bon Aserios. The photo session was his birthday gift to Audrey, our model. Thanks to his recommendations, Audrey contacted me to be her makeup artist for this shoot.

Audrey has a thing for everything Japanese, hence she requested for the Geisha look. Bon also suggested another design inspired by Sarah Meier's prenup pics which we incorporated in the chosen theme. The colorful splatter gave the Geisha a modern twist, hence the name "Geishock" or "Geishuck," if we take it after Audrey's chucks.

Traditionally, geisha makeup is done using a wax or oil base called bintsuke-abura followed by the application (using bamboo brush) of a white powder mixed with water to a pasty consistency. The white makeup (oshiroi) originally contained lead and mercury, which are toxic substances to the body. Zinc and titanium dioxide later replaced the hazardous ingredients.

The essential colors in a Geisha makeup are white, red and black. To whiten the skin, I used the Kryolan Aqua Color in white using a damp sponge. Ben Nye Azalea eye shadow on top of Nyx Electra were dabbed on the outer corner of the eyes. Nyx Electra alone rendered the puckered lips a vivid red color.

For the splattered look,  I used the 24 shimmer palette, which contains subdued, pretty pastel shades. It would have been bolder had I used the Kryolan aqua colors beneath it. Note to self: get Ben Nye's other Lumiere Grande eyeshadows.


Here are some shots taken by photographer Bon Aserios. For more of his fresh, funky works, please visit his website at http://bonserios.com.

Thanks to my Mom for doing the hairstyling and my hubby for carrying my heavy tools. Thanks also to Audrey and her family who are the coolest people to get to know.Her cousin, Stephanie served us Wasabi chips ( which went with the theme) for snack during our shoot at the Flores Orchidarium.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Contest Winner

the free massage from Terra Spa goes to...

Roch of http://www.rochellesychua.com/

From the 12 entries, we picked a winner through random.org, which gave us the 5 as the winning number. She will enjoy a 75-minute luxurious spa treatment courtesy of our sponsor, Terra Wellness Spa. The experience is priceless, it can be likened to being rewarded with loose diamonds.

Congratulations, Roch! Please check your email regarding the details for claiming your prize.  We hope that you enjoy our early Christmas treat!

Thanks to everyone who joined and responded to my invitation! I wish I could give the prize to everyone who participated because I know how much effort the contest required. Thumbs up to the husbands and boyfriends who joined to give the treat to the princesses in their lives. I hope more establishments would sponsor this blog's contests so I could give out more freebies for you.

Do check back often for future contests, which may be your turn to win. Merry Christmas! :)

Beauty Ebooks

When I was still on residency training, ebooks were a big help to carry around tons of information in one gadget, the palm top or cell phone. We were training for specialty areas and not growing muscles to be the next Arnold Schwarzeneger, so Instead of carrying the full volumes of the actual books, the ebooks were our security blankets.

The ebooks, however, are not limited to academic resources.  Makeup books and style guides can also be downloaded and carried around. The following are just some of the best-selling beauty books you might want to indulge on:

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. It's a must-have for beauty addicts containing the tips and techniques for proper makeup application plus thorough step by step directions .

Each chapter has thorough step-by-step basic directions for makeup application and easy-to-follow photographs and line drawings, along with Bobbi's expert, yet assuring, advice. Plus, there's a groundbreaking section of the book that will be of special interest to women who've wanted to know how makeup stylists do what they do: the top beauty secrets only these artists know, essential equipment to keep on hand, how to break into the business, and how to work with photographers and celebrities.

Clueless about which makeups to buy? "The Beauty Buyble" ebook by Paula Conway is a handy guide to shopping smart in the cosmetics counter.

The Beauty Buyble is a one-stop reference to the year's best beauty buys and products. It takes out the guesswork, making it easier for you to find the best hair care, makeup, skin care, and beauty tools available on the market. This helpful, accessible book lists products in the low-,middle-, and high-end product range so you can find the product that's right for you and that will truly enhance your beauty. The clean, concise format helps you find just what you need-and the authors offer advice from celebrity hair stylists, makeup artists, and real women to help you get the best out of your beauty purchases!

Even Eve Pearl's makeup corrective tips on "Plastic Surgery without the Surgery" is now available on ebook format.

With easy-to-follow, professional secrets and four-color photos throughout, Eve Pearl, the Emmy Award-winning makeup artist from ABC's The View, teaches readers to lift their eyes, enlarge their breasts, plump their lips, reduce their nose size, and much more. From eyelift to facelift, readers will be amazed at the results-without the pain, the risk, or the cost of surgery!

If you'd rather save the trees and have the ebook version, these are all readily sold online. Plus, if you don't want to brave the traffic, they could be a perfect Christmas present as well!

3 Days Left Before Contest Deadline!

If you still don't know about the contest we're having, we're giving out a free massage at Terra Wellness Spa, Discovery Suites worth P1700! Please check this link for the complete mechanics.

No need to squeeze your creative juices for the 60-word blog post because the winner will be chosen by raffle.  I know during these times, you could use a relaxing massage to rid yourself from stress. I don't want stress taking its toll on your good looks, so consider this as our early Christmas treat for all of you!

In case you'd rather pamper a loved one, you could always give the free massage to your precious one. Your ticket is a simple post that automatically wins you a back link from this blog. *wink*

For those in the provinces, you are welcome to join as long as you have a scheduled trip to Manila within the next 4 months or if you have someone in Manila who could claim the prize for you.

Male or female contestants are encouraged to participate. Remember, you could always give it to your partners who will even love you more for this treat!

So what are you waiting for? Stop thinking too hard and just type. The next thing you know, you are already lying on that relaxing massage bed, enjoying royalty treatment for free.

Meeting the Big Bro

Someday, I hope to make a Marian pilgrimage in Europe to visit the Holy places for complete healing and thanksgiving. While I save up for my future plans,  I can take advantage of visiting the Holy places around town, such as the Divine Mercy shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental. Although it is technically outside Cagayan de Oro, it is just a few minutes away from the city proper. It is where we get to meet the (50 ft) gigantic statue of Jesus Christ, or "Bro" as He is fondly called by viewers of the inspirational hit Filipino TV Series, "May Bukas Pa."

The location is uphill but the cemented road makes it accessible to all types of vehicles. If commuting, they have motorcycles or "habal-habal" along the highway that will bring you to the site. The construction of the holy place came to life after the the local intercessory prayer group of the Divine Mercy Foundation received a message from the Lord: to build His church of Mercy with the vision of the Lord, standing on top of a hill overlooking the ocean. It was officially turned over to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro on the Blessed Virgin's birthday last year, September 8, 2008.

The privately-funded project is a sight to behold, so don't forget to bring your digital cameras! At the center is the 50 ft statue of Christ, which is said to be the tallest Divine Mercy  statue in the world-  a work of sculptor and UP Fine Arts graduate, Nick Reyes. Within the heart of Christ is a chamber of adoration where devotees can climb up to, much higher than the stairs at the MRT stations. Those with health issues can stay on the ground, where regular masses are held.  There is an area where you can get healing water for free, just bring your own containers.

Since it is a sacred pilgrimage site, visitors are required to observe proper decorum. Dress code dictates that no sleeveless or shorts are allowed. Men wearing shorts will be handed out a skirt when entering the premises. Women are allowed to wear long pants but skirts will also be lent when attending the mass or when going up the chamber of adoration.

If visiting Cagayan de Oro, be sure to include a date with the Big Guy.  The long stretch of walking will be all worth it.

Home Made Lip Scrub

Exfoliating your lips should be done at least once a week to give way to smoother, smooch-worthy puckers. Manufactured lip exfoliators can come at a price. The good news is, scavenging through your kitchen supplies could provide simple yet effective solution to the pressing issues of dry lips. Below is one of the secret solutions of Hollywood beauty experts.

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp. Honey

1 tsp. Brown Sugar

Honey has moisturizing properties while brown sugar acts as a gentle mechanical exfoliant .

How to do it:

• Mix both ingredients


• Apply lavishly to the lips in circular motion


• Wash off and dab your favorite lip balm or moisturizer

Leyende Loot

After posting about organic products a week ago, I was prompted to order from Leyende, a leading local manufacturer of organic skin care products. Positive things have been said about their goods that I decided to try it out as part of my plan to take the organic route to beauty.

My orders arrived today and I made sure I took pictures for future reviews. I chose the  Apt Pupil Face Kit With Lip Balm Set containing the 50 ml Clean Slate, 10g mini Face Canvas and 15g Kiss Kiss Balm Balm, wrapped in a recyclable box with a cute silver ribbon bearing the name Leyende.  I also picked  the Place in the Sun Face Sunblock SPF 30.  I must say they make good Christmas presents.

After enough time for testing, I will make a review on my purchase. So far, I'm liking the effects of the lip balm. Will it be good enough to be my next favorite beauty buy? Find out my verdict  in the coming weeks!

Makeup For Protruding Eyes

After giving out tips on applying makeups for  both small and prominent eye shapes, we proceed with the tricks on receding those of the protruding kind. We are skipping the part on almond eyes for the meantime because any makeup design would work on that eye shape, anyway.

We had Cherry Pie Picache as an example to illustrate this classification in our post on the Different Eye Shapes, and this time, we have Sharon Cuneta's picture with the eye makeup that shows how it is done.

Protruding eyes have an exaggerated bulge from the sockets, or the opposite of deep-set eyes.  These can be downplayed by applying these makeup techniques:

• Use a medium to dark matte eyeshadow from the upper lash line towards the crease. Avoid shimmery shadows on this part because it will pop out the eyes further.


• On the crease line, use a darker matte shade to create the illusion of pushing the socket deeper. I  Blend downwards to shrink the size of the mobile lids.


• Beneath the brow bone, apply a lighter shade to highlight. Shimmery colors may be applied sparingly on this area because it is already above the socket line.


• Apply a thick line the upper lash line and smudge it. Line the lower lash line as well. No smudging necessary on the lower part if your eyes are prominent in addition to protruding.


• Curl your Lashes and apply a thick coat of mascara to partially hide the bulging lids.


• Shape your eyebrows.

Contest: Win A Spa Treatment Worth P1700

"The Doctor is vaIN" gives back!

Vanityclinic.com has teamed-up with Discovery Suites' Terra Wellness Spa in giving you- the readers, a chance for a luxurious spa treatment. This is our way of celebrating the blessings that this blog has received. The lucky reader will be treated to a 75-minute Terra's Touch Massage worth P1,700!

The Terra Wellness spa is located at the 4th Floor, Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It provides a tranquil escape from the toxicities of urban living. Through the specialized services, treatments, and facilities beyond the normal facial and body massage that they offer, balance of the mind and body can be restored.

Let us take a peek into Terra Spa:

Under the skillful hands of trained therapists, guests can regain their balance and invigorate their senses at the 480 sq. meter facility that houses seven (7) treatment rooms, each with its own shower and bath, three (3) of which are suites for couples, and a foot therapy room.

Each guest is accorded the opportunity to de-stress and recompose by way of massage therapies, body treatments, facials, and services that are crafted to relieve the pressure of everyday life and restore the body’s natural equilibrium.

To further enhance one’s spa experience, Terra has recently established a partnership with internationally renowned spa brand- Pevonia Botanica. Terra is pleased to introduce one of Pevonia's finest therapeutic body products-Aromatic Moor Mud as part of Terra’s “Healing Earth” Moor Spa Therapy.  Moor is a nutrient-rich mud harvested from below the earth’s surface.  Known for its healing properties since ancient times, it draws toxins out of the body, helps balance hormones, reduces inflammation in muscle tissue, and infuses the body with necessary nutrients.

Terra Wellness Spa offers a variety of spa cuisine, healthy food and drinks catering to those who want to eat and drink their way to optimal health.  Aside from being a haven for relaxation, Terra also opens its doors for spa parties and enjoyable events such as bridal showers, corporate launches, and those special & private occasions that cater to a minimum of five (5) to twenty (20) persons.

Up for grabs is a  Terra Signature Massage which is described to be a deeply relaxing massage combining slow and graceful gliding strokes that are applied to the different key pressure points of the body to relieve tension and aid blood circulation. The experience is enhanced with the use of specially blended therapeutic oil. So, are you ready for some pampering?

To join, here are the mechanics:

1.  This contest is open to both male and female readers of "The Doctor is vaIN" currently residing in Manila or NCR.
2. You must have an existing blog that is open to the public. Multiply, Blogger, Typepad, LiveJournal,         Wordpress or any blogging platform/niche will do, as long as it is not on  private mode.
3.  In at least 60 words, blog about this contest, mentioning "Terra Spa" and "The Doctor is vaIN" in the content.
4.  In the comment box below, give us a link to your blog post, which will serve as your official entry to this contest. For example,
Name: Dionesia P.
Comment: Here is the link to my blog entry: http://www.queendionesia.com/win-a-spa-treatment
5.  Based on the order on the comments section below,  entries will be assigned a number. The winner will be raffled through random.org.
6.  Contest will run from November 18, 2009 to November 28, 2009, 11:59 PM, Philippine Time (GMT +8). The winner will be announced on November 30, 2009.
7. The winner will be contacted through email. The prize will be subjected to Terra Spa's Terms and Conditions.

Readers from the provinces and other countries, don't fret! You will get you chance for freebies in our future contests. I wish I could afford flying you to Manila but this is all I could offer for now. This is just the beginning. Be on the lookout for cool prizes soon!

Don't just stare at those Terra Spa pictures. Experience the royalty treatment for a day by writing your entries now!  Good luck!

Mommy Dionesia: A Knock-out Fave Among Mommies

Last Wednesday, my mom invited us to watch "Ang Tanging Pamilya," the debut movie of Dionesia Pacquiao, the famous mother of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. For the past couple of years, my mom thought of excuses whenever we dragged her into going to the cinemas. Not even Vilma Santos' flick convinced her into joining us. It had to take the Pacmom for her to initiate a movie date, on the opening day at that!

Since the trailer looked fun, I looked forward to seeing how Mommy Dionesia, as the Pacmom is fondly called, would fare in the silver screen. After watching Ai-ai delas Alas hit comedy flicks in the past and the tandem of Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby on "My Big Love," I mistakenly set high expectations on this movie.

The story was nearing the middle when I was still awaiting the moment that would get me laughing off my seat. Sadly, things were slow and the punchlines were weak.  It was only until Mommy Dionesia came into the picture that the theater started roaring in laughter.

[caption id="attachment_1576" align="alignright" width="263" caption="Presscon Pic of Dionesia Pacquiao From StarCinema.com.ph.. Why is her left hand holding on to that? Naughty Mommy Dionesia! Naughty!"][/caption]

It was difficult to assess the thespic prowess of Mommy D because there was not much acting involved. She just had to be herself to get the viewers laughing with her wacky antics. While the Comedy Queen Ai-ai delas Alas was being her usual funny self, it was Mommy Dionesia who stole the show. Her dance showdown and exchange of sarcasm  with Ai-ai were among the highlights.

Former President Erap Estrada showed no traces of the Best Actor awardee in him and lacked the comedic mettle which made me wish it was Dolphy or Vic Sotto who essayed his role. Sam Milby played the eye candy while Toni Gonzaga reminded me of her wacko days as a "Wazzup Wazzup" news anchor.

Throughout the movie, I was observing how the eye makeups of Toni Gonzaga were done. Her small eyes were made rounder and bigger using a dark liner applied to the outer 1/3 of the lower lash line. If you can't appreciate the story, at least her makeups are worth analyzing.

As to Mommy Dionesia, although she was made to look funny in the movie, her makeup here was better than the one she wore during the Presscon, where her foundation was a lot lighter than her skin tone and her eyes were packed with shimmery white stuff as though butterflies were trapped in her eyes and started fluttering their way out when she blinked.

[caption id="attachment_1596" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Credits to StarCinema.com.ph"][/caption]

This was a typical  Director Wenn Deramas movie, but I think better than the alienating black comedy "Apat Dapat." Still, "Ang Tanging Pamilya" was obviously produced to make a killing at the tills and not to raise the standards of Philippine Movies, so not much can be expected.

While I went out of the cinema unsure of how I felt towards the movie, I overheard someone in the CR saying that her jaws ached from laughing, which I could hardly relate to. I guess it wasn't my type of humor. Since my Mom came for Mommy D, she couldn't care less how the story went, so long as she got a good laugh from watching the Pacmom. She and her friends who watched the movie separately are apparently closet fans of Dionesia Pacquiao. They wouldn't admit it but the magazines featuring Aling Dionesia lying around their houses or manufactured homes speak otherwise.

My overall rating for the movie?  Let's put it this way,  I'm just glad that we got in for free using Citibank's free movie passes at SM Cinemas. And with the smile it painted on my Mom's face, that should scrape my ranting to a minimum.  One thing's for sure, fan favorite Mommy Dionesia will have more movies to come. I heard the next one would be a remake of the Hollywood flick JUMANJI. It will be topbilled by (JU)nesia, (MAN)ny and (JI)nkee Pacquiao. Alright, kidding on that one.

Malunggay As Spa Treatment

Moringa Oleifera, otherwise known as the green leafy "Malunggay" in the country, has been touted as a veggie with exceptional medicinal properties. Here in the Philippines, Malunggay is an ubiquitous plant whose leaves make an inexpensive but nutritious ingredient to soup dishes and a saving grace when the budget is dwindling. It grows abundantly that you can harvest it from your own garden, the neighbor's backyard, or just about anywhere where there's soil.

While some people would spend most of their earnings on monthly bills, auto insurance, and maintenance medicines, little do they realize that God has whipped up a natural pharmacy for free. Malunggay is one of the natural remedies whose beneficial properties range from increased lactation for mothers, to the control of blood pressure. If that doesn't impress you, note that it also has skin-revitalizing properties. Yes my dearies, that green thingy can make you pretty.

If you have noticed, several companies have capitalized on the healing powers of Malunggay that it is now available in capsule, powdered and tea forms. The rich anti-oxidant properties of the plant has qualified it to be a detoxifying spa treatment as well.

[caption id="attachment_1562" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Image From Terra Spa"][/caption]

Famous for rendering this kind of treatment is the Terra Wellness Spa, at the 4th floor of Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center in Pasig. They pay homage to the Filipino heritage by making use of the Malunggay leaves, teamed up with another popular Filipino product, the Virgin Coconut Oil, to reverse the stressful effects of work and daily urban living.  The powerful combination of anti-aging, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of the two key ingredients provide an ideal solution for healing, nourishing and protecting skin the organic way.

[caption id="attachment_1563" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Image Source: www.terra-spa.com"][/caption]

The special formulation of Terra's Coco- Moringa has been made for sensitive skin, making it a suitable facial treatment called the "Terra's Signature facial" to rejuvenate the skin back to its healthy radiance. Another Malunggay treatment, the "Salt of The Earth," utilizes dead sea salt infused with Malunggay oil,  Virgin Coconut Oil and Olive Oil to allow exfoliation. These ingredients polish the skin, preparing it for richer hydration. A soothing massage follows, adding aromatherapy oil to replenish lost moisture and renew the senses.

If you feel you need some pampering, you may inquire at Terra Wellness Spa at 638-9145 to 46 or 683-8222 loc.3804 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Midnight daily, or send them an e-mail at terrawellness.spa@gmail.com. You can also visit their website at http://www.terra-spa.com.

If you want to score a free spa treatment worth P1700 from Terra Spa, hang on for a blog contest that we're cooking up for you. It's time that this blog gives back something to its loyal readers who deserve some pampering. Until Then!