That 70’s Superband Show!

Noong Miyerkules, November 6, 2013, pagkaraan ng maraming taon, ay nagkaroon ulit ako ng pagkakataon na makapanood ng concert.  Sobra-sobrang sulit at talaga namang nasiyahan ako ng husto.  Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na matandaan kung kailan ako huling nanood ng concert…mga play siguro sa theatre, pero concert, ‘di ko na maalala (para tuloy akong si NAPOLES!).  Masyado abala sa trabaho…o wala lang talagang pera, weheheheh….

Nagsimula ang pananabik kong manood ulit ng mga concert ng makatihan ng mga kamay kong manood at making ng Manila sound sa Youtube.  Naging paborito ko rin kasing pakinggan ang mga awit ng VST and Co., Wadab, Labuyo, Hotdog, Cinderella, Abra Cadabra, at iba pa.  May mga video at concert sa internet, pero pinangarap ko na sana mapanood sila ng live, iba pa rin siyempre kapag live!  Kaso, mukhang imposible na yata dahil, medyo matagal na silang hindi aktibo at mga may edad na sila.  Ika nga eh, mga junior o dual citizen na, heheheh!

Sumikat sila ng husto ng mga panahon ng dekada sitenta (70’s).  Hindi pa ako buhay n’un o kapapanganak pa lang n’ung kasikatan nila, pero talagang nagustuhan ko ang mga awitin nila n’ung kabataan ko, ika nga ulit eh, tootoy pa at may uhog pa!  Tapos n’ung nakatungtong ako sa high school at college, doon ko talagang nabaliw ako sa mga awitin nila.  Kapag naririnig ko mga awitin nila, natutuwa at nalulungkot ako.  Natutuwa, dahil da best talaga mga awitin nila, nalulungkot naman, kasi hindi ko sila napanood ng kasikatan nila.

Pasok ang makabagong panahon, sa panahon ng modernisasayon at internet, madali ng malaman ang mga bali-balita ng kung anu-ano.  At nakatihan ng kamay kong hanapin sa internet kung ano na mga balita sa kanila, at eto nga!

Medyo nauso rin kasi mga reunion concert at inasam ko na sana mangyari din ito sa kanila.  Aba’y nagkaroon nga, kaso ‘di ko rin napanood, nasa probinsiya ako eh, nakakasuya talaga! 

Tapos laking gulat ko, kasi recently, nalaman ko na nakakapag-concert na pala ulit sila, at may malapit na lugar at skedyul!  At ang kagandahan pa n’un nagsama-sama pala sila sa isang banda – WOW! 

As in WOW!

Nang malaman ang sked, hanap kaagad ng makakasama.  Desidido talaga akong mapanood sila ng live!  Mabuti naman at may game na mga kaibigan at sinamahan nila ako!  Salamat Jonas at Ysa!

Pagdating ng araw ng concert, punta ng maaga sa venue.  Excited much! 

Maaga sa lugar para makakuha ng ticket, makapag-reserve ng lugar at kumain.  Kaso, nagulat ako sa venue.  Hard Rock Café kasi, expected ko na may kamahalan, pero ‘di ko akalain na gan’un KAMAHAL! Gah, hanggang tubig na lang yata kaya kong orderin!  Well, kaya pa naman budget sa appetizer, huhuhuhu....

Nasa isip ko na lang, okay lang, minsan lang naman ito! Carry lang.

Habang naghihintay ng kasama, nakakatuwa kasi naroon na rin ‘yung banda at nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makamayan, makapagpa-picture, at makapagpapirma sa kanila!  Tinext ko nga kaagad mga kaibigan ko, sabi ko, “kinikilig na ako, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Ngayon lang ulit ako na-excite ng ganito.

Eto ‘yung mga ticket.  Nakumpleto ko ring papirmahan sa lahat ng miyembro ng banda!  Hinaharang namin sila kapag napapagawi o daan sa table namin...Mabuti na lang nasa daanan 'yung pwesto namin, weheheheh!

Simula ng concert, maraming patikim o front acts…may MAHUSAY at meron ding HINDI.   Uhmmn, concert ito, pero feeling ng isang banda eh, nagpa-practice lang sila…nagkalat ng husto eh, naturingan pa man ding 2010 band winner daw sila…talaga lang ha?

Mga 10PM na rin nagsimula ang MAIN ACT…pero TALAGANG SULIT na SULIT! Grabeh, WALANG MINTIS!  ANG HUSAY pa rin nila!  Naluluha nga ako ng mapakinggan ko sila eh, pero siyempre tago lang, heheheh…Maricel Soriano ang peg!

Nostalgia ang dating sa bawat awit nila.  At SUPER-GALING ang ARRANGEMENT ng mga awit nila.  Buong-buo ang musika, ang tugtog, at ang ganda ng transition sa bawat awitin!  DA BEST talaga!  Nasabi ko tuloy sa sarili ko, sa wakas napanood ko rin sila!  Kumpleto na buhay ko, heheheh.

Special mention sina Manong REY MAGTOTO, napakabait at masayahing tao, joke nga namin eh, parang siyang si GARY LISING, heheheh… at  SNAFU RIGOR, grabeh ang boses! 


JUN MALLILLIN ng bandang ABRA CADABRA, ang NICK RHODES ng grupo!


NITOY MALLILLIN ng bandang ABRA CADABRA, ang papabol ROGER TAYLOR ng grupo!


MON ESPIA ng bandang LABUYO, Tuloy pa rin ako!


NONOY TAN ng bandang WADAB.  Should I say SIMON LE BON ng grupo?


Ang super bait at kwelang REY MAGTOTO ng bandang WADAB! IDOL!


SNAFU RIGOR ng bandang CINDERELLA, ay grabeh ang boses ni manong!


MONET GASKELL ng bandang VST and Co, hay nakoh, WALANG KUPAS!


Ang 70's SUPERBAND...SUPER TALAGA!

Haaay, GUSTO ko ULIT PANOORIN sila! 

Salamat ulit kay Jonas at Ysa para sa mga pektyur!

 

Silahis ng Kalusugan

Pasayahain natin sila ngayong Pasko!


Click poster for details.

KOMIKON 2013

It's the time of the year...excited na gyud ko...KITAKITS!





Click posters for details!

TALAHIB: Ang Taong Damo ni KARL COMENDADOR

ABANGAN!

Mula sa malikhaing isipan at kamay ni KARL COMENDADOR!








Sa kulay ni JEFFREY MARCELINO ONG

Rebuild Bohol: A Fund-raising Performance Featuring the Loboc Children's Choir

MICO SUAYAN Signing

Ohoy, si MICO SUAYAN naman ang may signing, tara!


Please click poster for details.

Kung Paano ako Naging Leading Lady

May bagong ilalabas si CARVER ngayong KOMIKON!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Maxie: The Musicale

Si Maxie, may musical na!



Book and Lyrics by Nicolas B. Pichay
Music by William Elvin Manzano, JJ Pimpinio and Janine Santos
With Additional Music by Arkel Mendoza
Direction and Choreography by Dexter M. Santos

Based on Michiko Yamamoto’s screenplay
“Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” (ufo Pictures 2005)

Bit by Bit Company’s “Maxie The Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” officially opens on November 9 and will run until December 8 at the PETA Theater Center in New Manila. For inquiries, you may contact Nick Guila (09151916394) or Marvin Olaes (09175336267), Ticketworld at 8919999 or visit their website, ticketworld.com.ph.



Source: http://radiorepublic.ph/life/music-life/bet-mo-tong-maxie-the-musicale/

Pens of Hope in Davao: Christmas Arts and Crafts Workshop

Click the poster for details.

Para kay Vergil Espinosa at mga nabiktima ng Lindol

Kumakatok po kami sa inyong mga puso.

Please click poster for details.

KATAKURAKOTAN!

From Delmar Topinio Taclibon:

Join the People’s Movement Against Pork Barrel!

Today @ 2pm!

KATAKURAKOTAN Horror Costume Parade Against Pork Barrel System, October 23, 2013 @ 2pm, Plaza Rajah Sulayman to Senate. Please come in your Philippine Folklore Beast Costume or Pinoy Hero against Pork Barrel Attire.

Let’s Get Going Patriots!


Delmar Topinio Taclibon, August 26th People’s Coalition Secretary General and Citizens Crime Watch Vice-President for Luzon

Sushi

Trese Book Launch

Tara!



From BUDJETTE TAN:

"This Halloween season, the Crucible Gallery becomes a gateway to Manila’s supernatural underworld as they present TRESE NIGHT GALLERY, the first one-man show of Kajo Baldisimo, artist of the award-winning graphic novel “Trese”. 

The exhibit will feature thirteen limited-edition digital prints featuring a modern take on creatures from Philippine folklore and myth, as well as original art depicting the cast of characters of “Trese”. 

Dare to venture into the TRESE NIGHT GALLERY from October 22 to November 3, 2013 at the Crucible Gallery, 4th F, SM Megamall, Ortigas. 

Meet the creators of “Trese”, writer Budjette Tan and artist Kajo Baldisimo, when they attend the official opening of TRESE NIGHT GALLERY on October 26 at 5pm.

On that same night, they will launch TRESE: BOOK OF MURDERS, a 360-page, 6.7” x 10.23”, hardcover collector’s edition compiling the first 13 Trese stories with digitally-updated artwork and new short stories with a cover price of P950.00. 

The autograph signing session will start at 6pm."

Drink Apple Cider Vinegar to Lower Blood Sugar and Insulin

Insulin is a protein peptide and a hormone produced by the pancreas. We’ve primarily understood insulin as the blood sugar reducer. It sends out a signal to cells in the liver, muscles and adipose tissue that glucose is available to be converted into glycogen and stored. Glycogen stores fill up pretty quickly and, unless you burn it, gets quickly converted to fat. In fact, when insulin is present the body doesn’t burn fat.

Insulin Resistance

When we eat a diet high in sugar and carbs our body is frequently subjected to glucose spikes, which it doesn’t tolerate well. Every time the glucose rises our pancreas releases insulin. Then it potentially becomes sort of like a naggy friend. The more they speak, the less you hear. Eventually you might hear their message but it will take 100 times more effort because you’ve learned how to tune them out.

So it is with our cells. If we’re experiencing insulin spikes frequently throughout the day our cells will stop “listening.” This is what we call insulin resistance. Meanwhile, sugar remains in the blood. In a taxing effort to get the cells to pay attention the pancreas produces more insulin. Pretty soon the insulin level is abnormally high, a once underestimated but serious problem also called hyperinsulinemia.

Dr. Ron Rosedale is author of The Rosedale Diet and co-founder of the Colorado Center for Metabolic Medicine. He is renowned for his success “helping diabetics to eliminate or reduce their need for insulin and to reduce heart disease-both without drugs or surgery,” as well as successfully treating the whole gamut of age-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.[1] His first course of action usually involves diet with the purpose of reversing insulin resistance. According to Rosedale (1) hyperinsulinemia:

Causes cardiovascular disease by:

• Filling the body with plaque
• Constricting the arteries
• Stimulating the sympathetic nervous system
• Increasing platelet adhesiveness and coaguability of the blood:

1. Increases cell proliferation, causing cancer to grow:
2. Causes the excretion of magnesium and calcium through the urine
3. Depletes the body of a crucial thyroid hormone called T3, causing an underactive thyroid and leading to fatigue, slow metabolism, weight gain and other hormonal imbalances

Rosedale’s been way ahead of the game. Back in 1999 he spoke at Designs for Health Institute’s BoulderFest, where he boldly stated:

“It doesn’t matter what disease you are talking about, whether you are talking about a common cold or cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis or cancer, the root is always going to be at the molecular and cellular level, and I will tell you that insulin is going to have its hand in it, if not totally control it.”

Ultimately, says Rosedale, all of these diseases are actually symptoms of one overarching disease: aging. Aging itself is the disease and it’s largely determined by insulin. It was for a while conjectured that calorie restriction would lengthen health and life span. But after examining the science and researching the chemistry of centenarians (people who live to be 100+ years old), researchers have found that it’s not low calories but low insulin slowing aging and preventing death.

The problem, of course, isn’t the hormone. It’s our unnatural spiking of its levels by consuming astronomically more grains, carbs and sugars than the human body was ever designed to process.

Remedies

The good news is that experts and doctors, including Dr. Rosedale, state without hesitation that insulin resistance can be reversed even after it’s reached the detrimental stage of severe type 2 diabetes, and completely without drugs or surgery. The key is going to be diet and exercise, and studies are revealing a few tricks we can employ.

Carbohydrates

There are two kinds of carbs: fiber and non-fiber. When you consume carbs they should be completely and 100% pure without added sugars or artificial anything, and contain fiber. Potatoes have very little fiber and quickly convert to sugar. We’re mostly talking dense vegetables, leafy greens and the occasional grain. Most of the breads found in the market are pure sugar to your blood and that spells insulin flooding, fat storing, cellular resistance. Ezekiel bread is known to have a lesser effect on blood glucose levels and there are now more protein-rich, grain-free, low-carb breads emerging.

Protein/Fat

Most weight loss and health experts today are in agreement: protein and fat should be our primary sources of calories. Rosedale suggests: “one to two grams of protein per kilogram of lean body mass.” It’s better to have a little more than less the amount needed. But “I don’t recommend a high protein diet;” he says, “I recommend an adequate protein diet.” Our primary fuel source shouldn’t be sugar, carbs, or protein but healthy fats.

There is some debate as to which fats are best, and science has more recently been supporting the need for healthy saturated fats. Many agree on these healthy fat superfoods:

• nuts and seeds
• coconut oil
• olives and olive oil
• avocados and avocado oil
• fish
• sardines
• cheeses
• eggs
• clean raw milk (full fat)
• full fat cottage cheese

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is our featured item. Many are talking about remedies that help to flat line blood sugar levels such as lemon juice and fresh, real organic cinnamon. These are good and true. But there is strong scientific evidence for yet another oldie but a goodie, ACV “with the mother.”

In 2004 Dr. CS Johnston conducted an experiment on 11 insulin resistant (pre-diabetics), 10 type 2 diabetics, and a control group with good insulin sensitivity. The test groups first drank 20 g apple cider vinegar mixed with 40 g water and 1 tsp saccharine, then followed with a high-carb meal of a white bagel, butter and orange juice. Everyone’s blood sugar was checked before the meal and then 30 and 60 minutes following.

The pre-diabetic group saw the most dramatic results with a 34%improvement to their insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetics saw roughly a 25% improvement.

Having less insulin is likely to mean less fat storage, and that’s what another study discovered: drinking two tablespoons of ACV prior to a meal had the unexpected result of causing weight loss. Over a 4 week period participants lost 2-4 pounds compared to the placebo group which ate the same diet and showed no weight loss.

As one of Johnston’s reports concluded:  “The marked antiglycemic effect of vinegar in insulin-resistant subjects is noteworthy and may have important implications.” More research is being conducted to determine the efficacy of ACV as a potential diabetes prevention and treatment, as well as to uncover the precise mechanisms responsible for its antiglycemic effects.

It’s good to have variety in order to avoid developing food intolerances. Organic raw apple cider vinegar just may be a good item to add to your bag of nifty tricks in keeping insulin levels low along with organic lemon juice, organic cinnamon and supplements. Most of all, eliminate sugar, avoid non-fiber carbs, consider high intensity interval training and do regular resistance training. Add healthy fats. Eat plenty of protein.

Your cravings will change. The rest will come.

References

(Dr. Rosedale) Insulin and It’s Metabolic Effects

Calorie Restriction NOT Key to Increasing Life, Lowering Insulin LevelIs

Vinegar decreases postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with type 1diabetes.

Vinegar improves insulin sensitivity to a high-carbohydrate meal insubjects with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.

What the Research Really Says About Apple Cider Vinegar

[1] http://drrosedale.com/about#axzz2cXw1KhQR

Article source: http://www.bewellbuzz.com/alternative-medicine/drink-apple-cider-vinegar-to-lower-blood-sugar-and-insulin/

What is Basil Good For?

Basics on Basil

 

Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum

If a kitchen has only a few herbs in its possession, basil will likely be one of them. Its fragrant essence combines well with rosemary and thyme in meat dishes, fish, vegetables, cheese, soup and eggs, and is one of the main ingredients in pesto, along with pine nuts and parmesan cheese.

Although more than 60 varieties of basil have been identified, they all fall into three main types: sweet, purple, and bush. Each offers a subtle difference in taste; varieties such as lemon, anise, and cinnamon basil give you an idea of how one might modify and enhance a recipe. It only takes a few leaves to transform a simple dish - even a sandwich.

Basil plants are easy to maintain indoors and out. Snip off budding heads whenever they appear and underneath the base of a leaf near the bottom on spindly stems to keep your plant full, and a new branch will appear.

To dry basil leaves, warm your oven to 140 degrees while placing a single layer of basil leaves on a baking sheet. Turn off the oven and pop in your pan for 20 minutes (you don't want them to actually bake). Remove the pan, cool the leaves, and store immediately in airtight bottles or zip-lock bags, away from sunlight.

Health Benefits of Basil

Basil also is considered one of the healthiest herbs. It's best when fresh, exuding a sweet, earthy aroma that indicates not only the promise of pleasantly pungent flavor, but an impressive list of nutrients. Vitamin K, essential for blood clotting, is one of them. Just two tablespoons of basil provides 29 percent of the daily recommended value.

Basil also provides vitamin A, which contains  beta-carotenes, powerful antioxidants that protect the cells lining a number of numerous body structures, including the blood vessels, from free radical damage. This helps prevent cholesterol in  blood from oxidizing, helping to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke.

Other vitamins and minerals in basil include iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin C and potassium. Not surprisingly, basil also has antibacterial properties and contains DNA-protecting flavonoids.

It's the flavonoids and volatile oils in basil that give it the most health benefits, the former protecting on the cellular level, with antibacterial properties related to its volatile oils. Among these are estragole, linalool, cineole, eugenol, sabinene, myrcene, and limonene, all capable of restricting the growth of numerous harmful bacteria, including listeria, staphylococcus, E. coli, yersinia enterocolitica, and pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Some antibiotic medications which have been found to be resistant to some of these strains have been inhibited by basil extracts. One of those oils - eugenol - can block the activity of the harmful enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). This same effect puts basil in the "anti-inflammatory" category because it provides relief from related problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Basil Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 2 Tbsp. of chopped basil (5 grams)

• Calories: 1             
• Vitamin K: 29%
• Vitamin A: 6%
• Vitamin C: 2%
• Calcium: 1%
• Iron: 1%

Studies Done on Basil

When scientists tested basil oil in diluted concentrations against several common but serious multidrug-resistant bacteria, including some of those listed above, it strongly reduced the negative effect of the bacteria. Research data noted the encouraging results of the tests, especially in light of the high level of resistance of the bacteria.1

Another study debated the traditional use of basil to treat several respiratory diseases and the symptoms of tuberculosis, exploring the possible use of basil against actual tuberculosis symptoms. Test results were affirmative, with the conclusion that basil could be used to formulate new and natural anti-tuberculosis treatments.2

Since basil extracts reduce sugars as well as free radicals in your body, tests were conducted in relation to its effect on glycemic index, leading researchers to conclude that basil extracts may have the potential to inhibit diabetes.3

One impressive study showed that washing produce in a solution of basil or thyme essential oil in just a 1% concentration diminished the number of infectious Shigella bacteria, which can   produce intestine-damaging diarrhea. This result proves that ingesting basil and thyme in as many ways as possible, especially fresh in salads and their dressings, helps ensure the safety of the fresh produce you bring to your table.

Basil Healthy Recipes: Spinach-Basil Green Minestrone Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces thick cut nitrate/nitrate-free prosciutto, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 stalks of celery with leaves, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 can cannellini beans (or other white bean)
• 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup mini penne pasta (or wheat-free pasta of your choice)
• ½ pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 10 ounces spinach, stems removed and coarsely chopped, or chard
• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (or parsley)

Procedure:

• Heat a large pot over medium high heat. Add  oil and prosciutto. Sauté for 2 minutes, then add onions, celery, garlic, zucchini, and  bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add  white beans, garbanzo beans, and chicken broth. Cover and bring to a boil.
• Add pasta and green beans and cook for 8 minutes, or until pasta is al dente (just tender). Stir in spinach to wilt, about 1 minute. Stir in cheese and serve in soup bowls. Top each serving with basil or parsley. Makes four servings.

(From Healthy Recipes for Your Nutritional Type by Dr. Mercola)

Basil Fun Facts

The ancient Greek word "basilikohn," meaning royal, is the derivative of what we now call basil. It reflected an attitude of nobility and a desire to extend hospitality, friendship, and honor whenever it was served.

Summary

Basil is arguably one of the favorites among herbs because it has so many uses. Everything from soups to sandwiches can be made simply better with the addition of its fresh, pungent leaves. It also has been found to contain oils and flavonoids that protect the body from illness and infection. Very small concentrations can kill harmful bacteria, but still be very beneficial, even preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke.

Other sources:

http://voices.yahoo.com/the-7-healthiest-herbs-cooking-103570.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=85

https://sites.google.com/site/spiritualfoodcsa/food-a-pedia/basil

http://www.pickyourown.org/DHbasilmint.htm

References:

1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12732427, Comparative studies on the activity of basil--an essential oil from Ocimum basilicum L.--against multidrug resistant clinical isolates of the genera Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and Pseudomonas by using different test methods

2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22982011, Evaluation of the antimycobacterium activity of the constituents from Ocimum basilicum against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21636683, Hypoglycemic effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum) aqueous extract is mediated through inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities: an in vitro study.

Article source: http://foodfacts.mercola.com/basil.html