By exposing your child to other kids early on, he learns about sharing, taking turns, caring and respecting others.

PLAYDATES AND PLAY SCHOOLS
Children below two years old usually start forming their social circles through play dates organized by their parents. And more often than not, they’re first introduced to other children of the same age from their parents’ social circles. “Initially, Benny mingled with his cousins; luckily, they were young too. Then I started exposing him to my friends’ babies for playgroups,” says mompreneur Denise Gonzales, of her two-year-old son. The good thing with this kind of setup is that the parents know each other, and can better manage several children playing at the same time. A child who isn’t as sociable when it comes to interacting with other kids he just met can easily adjust and be more comfortable when he can see that his parents know the other people in the room.

Some parents put their children in pre-schools or daycare centers to expose them to a bigger circle and a different setup. “I put Ananda in school even before she turned two years old! I didn’t want her getting bored at home—I wanted her to have time with other kids. When we moved to Australia, I would put her in daycare three times a week to get her used to being around other people,” says Erica Paredes, a beauty editor, entrepreneur, and mom to Ananda, 5.

Some children, even at a very young age, tend to be more sociable than others. They seem to be more open to people, even those they just met. “Zizi was very sociable. She was never afraid of people. In fact, she loves being around a large group of people,” shares mompreneur Tina Afable-Narciso of her three-year-old daughter.

CREATING A SOCIABLE ENVIRONMENT
Desiree Laoang, directress of the Learning Jungle Preschool in Fort Bonifacio, says, “Friendships are formed in an environment conducive to socialization and with the guidance of an adult. Once the kids have transitioned from parallel play to cooperative play, that is the only time friendship begins.”

Provide kids with toys that can be shared. Very young children are used to playing alone and having all the toys for themselves. They normally engage in parallel play first by just playing side by side before actually interacting with other children. Adults can guide children by teaching them how they can play together and share the toys without fighting.

Encourage the children to help each other attain a common goal. A small group of children can work together in solving a puzzle or building a house made with blocks. This will also help them understand the concept of cooperation.

Teach children how to compromise. Conflicts usually happen when it comes to sharing toys or taking turns. When this happens, discuss how they can compromise. Involve the children in solving the problem at hand. You can say, “How about we take turns so everyone gets a chance to play with the ball? Paul can have the ball for now, while John plays with the trucks. Then later on, you can switch. Does that sound good to both of you?”

Praise children when they exhibit pro-social behavior. Avoid negativity by focusing on the positive. If you notice a child who seems to want to have all the toys to himself, try saying, “I like how Nathan and Andre are taking turns sharing the toy cars. Do you want to join them and share your toys with them?” Avoid making comments using negative words like selfish, bad, and greedy.

Find out what tickles your child’s fancy. As parents, you can help encourage your child to be more sociable by finding out which situations he readily opens up to. Does your little one enjoy playing with other children at the playground? Set playdates at the park. Does your child warm up more easily when adults aren’t watching? Make sure that you and the other parents keep a certain distance so the children can have their own space while playing. What works for one child may not necessarily work for the other, so be sure to find out what your tot prefers.

SOCIAL EXPOSURE
How soon should you expose your children to social scenarios? Crissie Malay, a teacher at The Beacon School, says, “A child’s social development is harnessed with exposure to other people, where the interaction is crucial to their skills development, especially on language formation. It’s never too early to set play dates with children.”

Laoang agrees, “It is never really too early to expose your child to other kids. Set your expectations according to your child’s age. At about age three, you can already explain friendship and socialization to your child, at a level he will understand.” She further explains, “But always keep in mind that each child is different, and this difference is dependent on prior social exposure, innate temperament, and the home environment.”

How will you know if your child is socializing enough and has healthy social relationships? According to Joe Sibayan, co-proprietor and curriculum director at Keys Grade School, “Evaluating whether or not your child is socializing enough requires you to take your child’s personality and developmental level in consideration. In terms of personality, some children seem to naturally have no inhibitions when it comes to approaching other children and initiating interactions. It is important that, while we all value social skills, we do not force our children to do things socially that they are not emotionally ready to do.” He further adds, “The other aspect to consider when evaluating children’s social skills is their developmental level. Being able to strike up friendships, as adults define the term, requires being able to take the perspective of another, respond with empathy, and focus on someone for an extended period of time—all of which are quite difficult to do for very young children who are yet to develop perspective-taking and communication skills. It is therefore important that parents support their children’s socialization while bearing in mind that children are still developing their social skills. Parents need not worry about their child’s socialization as long as he is given the opportunity to interact with others under the guidance of adults who can model and mentor the children in relating with others, such as parents themselves, teachers, and well-trained yayas.”

FRIENDLY READS
These books can help you teach your child about friendship

Making Friends: A Guide to Getting Along with People by Andrew Matthews
The sequel to the best-selling book, Being Happy, this focuses on the people around us—people we love, people who depend on us, people who help us—even people we avoid. It helps you understand that if you what friendship, you have to become a friend first.

Indie Kidd: Oops, I Lost My Best(est) Friends by Karen McCombie
Indie Kidd helps her brother make friends, which in turn alienates her from her own best friends! This teaches children how making more friends does not meant loving your older friends any less.

Filipino Friends by Liana Romulo and Corazon Dandan-Albano
As told from the eyes of a Filipino-American boy who is visiting the Philippines for the very first time, this book brings to light Filipino customs, helping kids better understand the Pinoy culture.

Also published on SmartParenting.com.ph:

Regardless of the time of year, however, I highly believe in rewarding one’s self with some alone time. And the best gift you can give yourself is some R&R without having to leave the metro. Right in the middle of a busy city is a sanctuary that will allow you to leave your worries behind, even for just a few precious hours.

The Terra Wellness Spa is an escape for the mind and body. Upon entering the premises, you’re greeted with a warm ambience as you’re ushered into the receiving area, where you’re served hot tea as you fill out a Personal Information Sheet. You can pick your therapy of choice from their Spa Menu or ask one of their therapists to recommend a treatment depending on your needs. Your shoes are then replaced with plush slippers as you’re led to one of the massage rooms, where you can take a quick shower before you wrap yourself in their comfortable robe.

I personally tried their signature therapy, the Terra’s Touch (P1,700), which is a 75-minute relaxing massage that combines slow and graceful gliding strokes, relieving tension and improving blood circulation. You can choose between two of their home-made massage oils, which are made from organic ingredients with a Jojoba base. The lavender-infused oil I chose was perfect to de-stress my mind and relax my senses.

Depending on your therapy of choice, you may be brought to either a single or couple room. They also have a separate area for foot therapies. The massage room was perfectly dimmed, with relaxing instrumental music playing in the background. The therapy starts and ends with a hot towel to the feet. The therapist begins with the lower body, concentrating on points that need special attention. As the pressure of the massage is determined, you may find yourself drifting off to sleep, which is the best compliment any therapist can get.

Another signature treatment is the Coco-Moringa Facial (P1,700), which combines Moringa, a powerful antioxidant, with Vitamins A and C as well as pure Virgin Coconut Oil, protecting the skin from environmental damage, healing it from minor skin irritations as well as prevent visible signs of aging. Combine this with the Body & Sole (P2,200) with Traditional Thai Foot Massage and you have a full head-to-foot treatment.

Moor Mud, which is collected from deep within the earth, is believed to possess healing and restorative powers with agents such as plants, minerals and trace elements, organic substances, vitamins, enzymes and natural antibiotics. With this, they have specifically designed treatment packages. For golfers, they have the Golfer’s Retreat (P2,700), which is a two-hour treatment that combines a Moor Mud Foot & Leg Treatment and a one-hour Sports Massage that utilizes techniques that can heal the muscles from lactic acid buildup after and alleviate muscle tension. For a more intense therapy, there is another specially designed treatment package called the Athlete’s Revival (P6,800), which is a three-hour treatment that combines a 20-minute Balneotherapy with Natural Moor treatment, a 45-minute Aromatic Moor Therapeutic Body Wrap treatment, a 30-minute Repairing Scalp and Hair Treatment with Moor Mud, capped with either a 90-minute Jade and Hot Stone Therapy or a 60-minute Earth Facial.

An interesting treatment to try is the Twin Therapy (P2,600), which is a 60-minute treatment combining the Coco-Moringa Facial with Terra’s Foot and Leg Aromatherapy. With the two pairs of hands moving in synchronicity, bliss is just moments away. If you’re a couple who want to spend some relaxing quality time together, you can try Terra for Two (P6,800), a three-hour experience that combines the Coco-Moringa Silky Body Scrub, the Terra’s Touch massage and a Traditional Thai Foot Massage.

For the ultimate experience, it would be best if you’re checked in the hotel so you can go straight to your suite after pampering yourself. Or better yet, have the therapist come up to your suite so you wouldn’t have to move a muscle. Now that is what you call relaxation.

The Terra Wellness Spa is located on the 4th floor of Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For more information, visit their website at http://www.terra-spa.com. For inquiries on their therapies or reservations, call them at 638 9145, 638 9146 or 683 8222 local 3804 from 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight daily, or send them an e-mail at terrawellness.spa@gmail.com.

I ended the year 2007 in one of the worst ways possible. On December 31st, my son Matthew started showing symptoms of his current condition. That morning, he was unconsciously doing some jerky movements. At first, I dismissed it as a newborn quirk, as he was only two weeks old. As the day went on, the jerks started to become too close to each other—from two-hour intervals, down to one hour in between.

As we were hearing Mass that night, it started happening 30 minutes apart, and much stronger. I can never forget the look on his face. It was as if he wasn’t there. In the middle of singing Ama Namin, tears started rolling down my face and onto his, as I held him tightly to my chest.

A couple of hours later saw us at the emergency room. Surrounded by doctors, I was still uneasy, because no one knew yet what was happening to him. All we could do was wait.

The next five weeks were a flurry of tests, blood extractions, IV and oral medicines, and a month in the hospital. He had gone through procedures that some adults don’t even experience in their lifetime. But I realized that I had to be strong, for him, because he would draw his strength from me.

In the end, he was clinically diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome, a congenital genetic condition. Matthew had no thymus, which is responsible for training a certain type of immune system cells to fight off virus and bacteria. He had low levels of calcium, magnesium, and parathyroid hormones; and certain developmental and growth delays.

The second time he was rushed to the ER and then brought to the ICU, I made a firm decision to resign from work. Still on maternity leave, I knew I couldn’t leave him with a nanny. I had to be with him, just in case.

Since then, we’ve been doing our best to shield him from getting sick. He stays mostly at home, only going out for blood tests, check-ups, and weekly trips to the park. No one with so much as the sniffles can go near him. Anyone who touches him has to have had showered and washed hands. But I do whatever I can to make him live a normal life as his condition allows. Thankfully, I still live with my parents, so I have them and the rest of my siblings to help me out.

What does the future hold for both of us? It is possible he will outgrow the symptoms, hopefully, in a few years. Then he can start being with other people. I hold on to that thought, while praying.

I am constantly afraid that he might catch a virus or bacteria that his body won’t be able to fight. Just like any parent, all I wanted was for him to be healthy. But I never questioned God and never will. He has His reasons; He will not give me something that I’m not capable of handling. Matthew is His son, whom He entrusted to me. He is an angel, and he is a fighter. We will fight this battle together and soldier on.

Katrina is a stay-at-home mom who does freelance and part-time work so she can be with Matthew, who turns two years old on the 19th.

From the traditional women-only, one-time-big-time party, baby showers have evolved through time, even including men! But for those who don’t have any experience when it comes to party planning, throwing a baby shower can be somewhat intimidating.

Who hosts the baby shower?
Currently, anyone can throw the mom-to-be a baby shower. Some even have more than one host, which is especially helpful in cutting costs and dividing responsibilities with regard to planning. Traditionally, though, showers were hosted by anyone other than the mom-to-be’s family—such as the mom-to-be’s best friend or a close colleague—because it’s considered bad etiquette for someone from the mom-to-be’s family to host a party that’s all about giving gifts for the mommy and her baby.

Can we still host a shower even if someone is already throwing one?
There’s no hard and fast rule as to how many showers a mom-to-be can have. In this case, the more, the merrier! Instead of having one big shower, multiple smaller baby showers ’can be thrown for the mom-to-be, keeping the intimacy of each group.

When can we throw a baby shower?
Baby showers are usually held a couple of months to a month before the baby is due. Hosts should keep in mind that they should throw the shower, at the latest, three weeks before the mom-to-be’s due date. That would also give the parents-to-be enough time to get everything ready for the baby’s arrival, such as return duplicate gifts or purchase what they don’t have yet.

How about a surprise baby shower?
In general, surprise parties are great, but keep in mind that not everyone is fond of surprises, and it can actually be quite stressful for the parents-to-be. If this is really what you have in mind, then keep in close touch with the immediate families of the parents-to-be, to find out if you were able include everyone in your guest list and, most importantly, if there aren’t any conflicts with regard to the date and time of the shower.

Can we still throw a baby shower even after the baby is born?
This isn’t usually done but a welcome baby shower is a great way to still include family and friends who weren’t able to make it to the other showers. Plus, the guest of honor has actually arrived! However, the new parents will most probably be overwhelmed with their new bundle of joy and may want to spend some alone time with their baby, waiting at least a few months so that they can adjust as well. Remember that newborns are actually quite demanding, so the new parents will be barely having any sleep. Welcome baby showers are also a great way for completing the baby’s essentials.

Where should we have the shower?
Baby showers are usually held at someone’s home, a restaurant, or even a country club. A friend’s or a relative’s home is always best because it’s more comfortable and intimate. The location will be dependent on the budget of the host (or hosts), weather, time of day, and how far the parents-to-be live. Since the mom-to-be is due in just a couple of months, it would be quite uncomfortable to have her traveling all the way to the end of the city. Also, in case of an emergency, she should be near the hospital where she’s set to give birth.

Who should we invite?
Baby showers were traditionally thrown only for the first-born and, since there was only one shower, every woman important to the mom-to-be was invited. That’s not the case anymore. Moms-to-be are thrown, on the average, two to three baby showers, for the same baby! To make sure that you don’t miss out on anyone, check with the mom-to-be’s parents. Coordinate with everyone, most especially the important people in your guest list, to make sure that their schedules are in sync with the date for the shower. Send out your invites (or e-vites) at least a couple of weeks in advance to give the guests time to hit the stores.

Should we invite the men?
Again, traditionally, men were not invited to baby showers. Now, it’s actually accepted for men to be part of showers, especially if the mom-to-be has close male friends or relatives. If you, as the host, aren’t too sure about this, then it’s best to check with the mom-to-be’s close family relatives (her mom or her sister). You wouldn’t want to end up disappointing the mom-to-be when she finds out that some of her hommies weren’t invited.

Who’s going to foot the bill?
Very important question. The host usually pays for the baby shower. But it’s very common for a group of people to throw the baby shower, so that shouldering of expenses is much more bearable.

What do we serve at the shower?
The type of food and beverage to be served is dependent on a few factors, such as budget, weather, and time of day. Typically, baby showers were thrown in the afternoon, so a light snack and some beverages would do. You can opt for finger foods and appetizers, to catered full meals. Always keep in mind the mom-to-be. Pregnant women aren’t allowed to have caffeine or too much sugar. If you can’t eliminate coffee, tea, and soda from your menu because some guests really thrive on them, then have some fresh fruit juices and bottled water for the mom-to-be. Try not to have any alcohol though, out of respect for the mom-to-be and the more mature guests and family members. Same goes with the food. Also, check if any of the guests have any special requests—like if someone’s allergic to a certain type of food, or one of the guests is vegetarian or vegan.

It was worth the hour-long drive.

In this day and age, a fast-paced lifestyle isn’t out of the ordinary. In fact, sad to say, it’s become the norm. Friday nights are usually much awaited—drinking with your buddies, dancing the night away with your girls, or even just a quiet night, with a cup of coffee and good company. For some, though, relaxation comes in the form of a quick weekend getaway.

Tagaytay has become one of the destinations of choice for those who want to escape the busy metro area. And what better way than to spend a day or two doing nothing but relaxing and being pampered from the moment you get in until you reluctantly get ready to leave?

Located three kilometers from the Tagaytay Ridge, Nurture Spa gives you the peace and quiet that you crave. Upon arrival, you’re served Pandan Tea and given a Guest Information Sheet to fill out, including questions on certain medical conditions you might have, which will help determine which treatments are best suited for you.

Putting myself in a golfer’s shoes, I picked two of the many treatments that would be best to end any day at the golf course: the Makisig Gentleman’s Facial (PhP 1,400) and the Pawi Hand and Foot Massage (PhP 1,000), two hour-long treatments with the first one deep cleansing, exfoliating, smoothening, and softening sun-burned and wind-kissed skin, and the second revitalizing your limbs and back, using special aromatherapy oils to enhance your well-being.

From the reception, you’re led down a stepping-stone path in the middle of an open garden that leads to several open cabanas. Most of the treatments are done here, immersing you in the serenity of nature, with nothing but the cool breeze and the sound of the crickets.

Cathy Turvill, co-owner of Nurture Spa and Vice President of the Spa Association of the Philippines, wanted Nurture to be a sanctuary. And it is a sanctuary; an escape from your personal milieu. It’s difficult to completely relax, especially when you’re used to thinking of a million and one things all at the same time. It’s a conscious effort, but one that would definitely not go to waste. Once you’ve cleared your mind, you can then fully unwind and feel every physical tension go away.

It’s best recommended for couples, especially for those celebrating their anniversaries or who just simply want to reconnect. The Magkasintahan Package (PhP 7,170) includes a Magsing-irog massage for two, followed by a Mutya Natural Facial with Spa Set Meal and Snacks for two, and a four-hour use of an Ifugao hut.

Those that want to share the experience with their significant other can choose from three couple’s packages: Ulayaw (PhP 7,500), Romantiko (PhP 9,200), and Bakasyon (PhP 15,000). Ulayaw includes an overnight accommodation at an Ifugao hut with breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a Magsing-irog massage. Romantiko includes an overnight accommodation with snacks and breakfast, plus a romantically set-up dinner, with flowers, wine, and candles, coupled with a Magsing-irog massage. Lastly, the Bakasyon, which includes three days and two nights in an Ifugao hut, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a Magsing-irog massage, a Maharlika facial, and a Makisig facial.

If you can’t go to Nurture Spa, they can bring Nurture to you. In the mood for a SPArty? Nurture’s SPArty team will reconstruct Nurture Spa’s ambiance in your own home, at an events venue, or even at your office. A unique offering with customized packages based on your needs, inclusive of a healthy food buffet, a spa buffet with a choice of head and shoulder massage, foot spa, or marma point massage, a full set up, including tables, chairs, gazebo, and sound system as well as optional take-home gifts and activities.

Destination and garden weddings have been all the rage, and Nurture Spa’s location doesn’t disappoint. By the end of the year, they’ll have a wedding pavilion that can accommodate almost 200 guests; perfect for those who dream of having an outdoor wedding but are concerned with inclement weather.

Sometimes, all you really need is just a few hours—to relax your mind, recharge your body, and rekindle romantic ties. And if all that’s separating you from bliss is an hour-long drive, then trust me, this destination is more than worth it.

Nurture Spa is located at Barangay Maitim-II West, Tagaytay City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 46 483 0804, +63 46 483 0805, +63 918 888 8772, +63 920 950 5724, and +63 920 910 6522. You can also e-mail them at operations@nurture.com.ph. For more information, visit their website at www.nurture.com.ph.

What people don’t realize is that when they skip eating meals, they are actually slowing down their metabolism, hence slowing down even further the fat-burning process. When your body doesn’t get much to eat, especially when it gets too little, it gets a feeling that it’s under starvation. The body knows that it isn’t getting the amount of food and nutrients that it needs to sustain itself daily. So instead of burning fat, it STORES fat, so that it can have something to burn if and when it doesn’t get any food and nutrient intake.

These food-group diets, which have been popularized by certain celebrities, have been all the rage for the past few years. But according to an analysis made by Dra. Sanirose Orbeta, Consulting Clinical and Sports Nutritionist, “These diets are unacceptable. The Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, South Beach Diet, Protein Power, Eat Right for Your Type, Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, Sugar Buster, and Peanut Butter Diet are all wrong for your body. How can your blood type determine what you should eat? That’s just as accurate as a horoscope!”

One might wonder: Why do high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets work for some people? According to Dra. Orbeta, “With this type of diets, there is overall calorie restriction, which is essentially what dieting is all about. But in this case, the rapid weight loss is actually due to water loss. So there’s no real weight loss here.”

Among the current popular diets, what is accepted by nutritionists are still the traditional ones: Traditional Food Guide Pyramid, Weight Watchers Dieting with the Duchess, Mediterranean Diet, Volumetrics, Eat More, Weigh Less, and Choose to Lose. Dra. Orbeta emphasizes, “What is important is to have a balanced diet. You can’t choose just one food group and stick to it. We all need carbohydrates, protein, and even fats and sugars. Everything should just be kept in moderation. That’s what the traditional food pyramid teaches. The body gets the nutrients that it needs and, at the same time, you’re not deprived of the satisfaction of eating.”

For more information on diet and proper nutrition, visit Asian Hospital and Medical Center located at 2205 Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For more information, call 771-9000 or visit their website: www.asianhospital.com.

According to Dr. Handog, “Glutathione is composed of three amino acids—Glutamate, Cysteine, and Glycine. More popularly known as ‘gluta,’ it is actually an anti-oxidant that is very essential to the human body. It regulates and regenerates immune cells, and is the most valuable detoxifying agent in the body.”

Though it only seems to be gaining popularity in the past couple of years, Dr. Handog’s presentation showed that glutathione was first accidentally discovered by a surgeon, Dr. Gustavo Bounous, who worked for over two decades for the Canadian Medical Research Council, while searching for a protein that would help people recover from surgery faster.

WHAT DOES GLUTATHIONE DO?
Because it is a major anti-oxidant, “Glutathione is used by the cells to neutralize and destroy damaging oxygen radicals, keeps vitamins C and E in their active state, and plays a crucial role in maintaining an optimal balance of pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant within a cell,” said Dr. Handog.

Glutathione is a very important detoxifying agent, ridding the body of many toxins, consequently enhancing the immune system. It also regulates many of the cells’ vital functions, such as DNA synthesis and repair, protein synthesis, and enzyme activation and regulation.

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
According to Dr. Handog, “Certain clinical conditions have been associated with low levels of glutathione, such as pressure ulcers, diabetes, burns, sepsis, cystic fibrosis, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, low sperm count, autism, hepatitis, and cataract, among others.”

She adds, “Some studies show that silymarin prevents the depletion of glutathione induced by alcohol and other toxins and also increases the level of glutathione in the liver cells. Herbs such as curcumin and alpha lipoic acid are also found to increase glutathione levels. Vitamin B6, Riboflavin, and Selenium are required in the manufacture of glutathione.”

Dietary glutathione is found mostly in fresh (uncooked) meats, and certain raw fruits and vegetables. Small amounts can also be found in grains and pasteurized dairy products. Fruits and vegetables like tomato seedlings, spruce needles, carrots, spinach leaf tissue, and asparagus contain more glutathione compared to other fruits and vegetables.

DOES GLUTATHIONE REALLY WHITEN THE SKIN?
Recently, this is what glutathione has been famous for. But Dr. Handog says that “there are no published controlled and randomized controlled clinical trials to support this claim. There is one unpublished randomized controlled clinical trial, which is company-sponsored, but results are unknown because a copy can’t be retrieved. However, there are numerous personal testimonials, which is why people have believe such.

HOW SAFE IS IT?
Dr. Handog reassures, “Overall, the intake of glutathione in reasonable amounts appears to be safe. Although, it is recommended that people with milk protein allergies and those who have undergone organ transplants should avoid it. It’s always best to consult a dermatologist first before taking in any supplements or undergoing any treatments.”

For more information on glutathione and other dermatological concerns, visit the Asian Hospital and Medical Center located at 2205 Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Keeping in mind the goal of helping golfers to improve their performance and prevent sports-related injuries, the Asian Hospital and Medical Center opened the Golf Performance and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic, the first in the Philippines that offers golf performance training and sports rehabilitation services to all sports enthusiasts, golfers and non-golfers alike.

Dr. Tyrone Reyes, head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, said, “Golf involves 8x the stress because a lot of body movements are applied in every golf swing. The motion of a golf swing, if done incorrectly, can cause injuries in many parts of the body. With the Golf Performance and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic, golfers can fine-tune their golf swing to improve their performance and most importantly, prevent injuries later on.”

Keep in mind that The Golf Performance and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic does not teach swing techniques; rather, they focus on the biomechanics and scientific evaluation of the golfer. “We concentrate on the body of the golfer, particularly the problems they have with their swing, which can lead to injuries. By improving the body, we improve the swing,” explained Chris Borja, Physical Therapist and Master Golf Performance Specialist, trained at the Golo Golf Performance Institute in Texas.

According to Mr. Borja, “Most golfers today are not conditioned to make the movements required for golf, like large trunk rotations and movement of both shoulders at very high speeds. Without the proper preparation to these motions, golfers are likely to suffer lower back pain, which is caused by rotational stresses of the golf swing; Golfer’s Elbow, which is an inflammation of the elbow that produces pain on wrist movements; and wrist injury, which can be caused by a weak wrist or a heavier club; knee and ankle injuries, which are caused by sprains or strains when the golfer is not in a balanced position.”

Michael Que, a Golf Teaching Pro at the Southpoint Driving Range, mentions four questions commonly asked by his students: “How can I get better? What is the right way? Why is it so hard? Why am I not getting better?”

A golfer’s capacity is composed of several factors. Time, intelligence, creativity, physical ability, attitude, focus, and money all come into play. With physical ability come coordination, speed, strength, flexibility, and balance. Mr. Que explains, “A golf swing is a golfing machine, which involves 2 horsepower of energy. To generate that much, you’ll need 32 pounds of muscle.”

Force is applied all throughout the swing sequence. Mr. Que emphasizes, “110% of the body weight is applied on the left foot at the start of the downswing, and then 25% of your body weight is applied on both feet upon impact.” This shift in force happens in all of two seconds, which goes to show how physically strenuous golf actually is.

Mr. Que adds, “The traditional approach is to change the task to accommodate the person. A more radical strategy is to change the person to accommodate the task.”

This is where the services of the clinic come in. The Golf Performance and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic offers a complete package to achieve a pain-free game of golf and improve the performance of the golfer. Mr. Borja makes clear, “The package includes Evaluation, which consists of video analysis, manual evaluation, and swing exercises to check for posture and movement of the body as the golfer swings; Physical Therapy treatment based on the results of the evaluation, for whatever condition or pain that the golfer may have; and an Exercise program specific to the golfer’s need to help the golfer be physically fit.”

Mr. Borja explains “Some golfers think that golf itself is their form of exercise already, which is wrong. It’s a sport, and like most sports, your body needs to be prepared in order to do the movements required for the game. An exercise program is important to help them become physically fit for the sport. At the clinic, we will design a golf-specific exercise program tailored to the golfer, which aims to strengthen the right muscles to resolve his swing problems, increase his power, and elevate his game.”

The Golf Performance and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic is open from Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call the Asian Hospital and Medical Center at 771-9000 local 8018. You can also visit its website: www.asianhospital.com.

This was one of the topics discussed during the recently concluded forum dubbed “Asian Beauty and Health Secrets Revealed” held at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang.

According to Dr. Agnes Remulla of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, “There are different stages of sleep, which are a combination of REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM stages. As we grow older, our bodies need less and less sleep.”

She adds, “Infants who are younger than two months old will need 10.5 to 18.5 hours of sleep every day, including their mid-day naps. As they grow older, they’ll need 14 to 15 hours of sleep daily, until they turn a year old. Sleep requirement then slowly declines, from 13 to 15 hours a day to 12 to 14 hours as they reach their toddler years.”

Adolescents and adults, two age groups that are the most sleep-deprived, need 8.5 to 9.5 hours and seven to nine hours of sleep respectively.

Sleep schedule is pre-determined, with levels of alertness that coincide with the sun. When the sun has risen at around 6 a.m., the mind and body’s level of alertness starts going up, getting ready for the day ahead. It continues to rise throughout the morning, peaks, and then starts going down at noon. Alertness then declines, and it is this mid-afternoon dip that explains why most, if not all, people feel sleepy after lunch. And it’s not just because you had a very hearty meal.

IMPORTANCE OF SLEEPING
Sleep is what helps organize memories, converting and storing memories into long-term memory, solidifies learning, and improves daytime concentration. Sleep-deprived individuals experience impaired judgment and alertness. In fact, driving after being awake for 17 to 19 hours is like driving after having two glasses of wine. And it is lack of sleep, not drunk driving, that explains a majority of road accidents. Extreme sleep deprivation can cause hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech, and memory and concentration lapses.

“Remember when your parents or yayas used to insist on afternoon naps when you were younger, telling you that you won’t grow tall if you didn’t go to sleep? They had a point, you know. Essential hormones that affect growth, regulate energy, and control metabolic and endocrine functions are secreted in your sleep,” says Dr. Remulla.

Too little sleep has also been linked to obesity and diabetes. When you don’t get enough sleep, then you don’t go through the different sleep stages, decreasing the slow-wave sleep that you’re getting, which is when the immune system is turned on. Consequently, there is decreased secretion of leptin, which is what signal to your body that it is full.

DISORDER IN SLUMBER
According to Dr. Remula, snoring is more than just an irritating noise. A snore is the vibration of the structures in the upper airway, which indicates an incomplete obstruction. A more serious disorder is sleep apnea, where there are definitive pauses in breathing during sleep, causing blood oxygen levels to drop, and also characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.

She cautions: “Snoring shouldn’t be taken lightly. According to studies, loud snorers have 40% greater risk of suffering from high blood pressure, 34% greater odds of having a heart attack, and 67% greater chance of having a stroke.”

Sleep apnea is characterized by excessive sleepiness, poor memory and concentration, impaired learning, and morning headaches during the daytime, and snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, and waking up gasping, choking, or coughing.

In Dr. Remula’s presention, she mentioned that about 10 percent of children snore, while a smaller percentage of 1 to 3 percent have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea, though rare, can cause impaired brain development, lower IQ, obesity or poor growth, altered facial development, and some cardiovascular effects like systemic hypertension and pulmonary hypertension.

Symptoms for sleep apnea in children are similar to those in adults. At night, they snore loudly and on a regular basis, with pauses, gasps, and snorts, and actually stop breathing. They’re restless, causing them to sweat heavily in their sleep, or sleep in abnormal positions with their heads in unusual positions, to help them breathe.

Children with sleep apnea experience behavioral, school and social problems, are more difficult to wake up, have headaches during the day, especially in the morning, are irritable, agitated, aggressive, and cranky, either fall asleep during the day or daydream, and have a nasal voice and breathe regularly through the mouth.

For more information about sleep and health, visit Asian Hospital and Medical Center located at 2205 Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Everything is prepared from scratch every single day—from the minced garlic and chopped onions, to the carrot strips and toge, even the chopped meat and wide array of sauces. Their signature sauces, which can be customized to your personal preference, are a variety of specially blended mixtures, made with high-quality sauces and ingredients. Best of all, none of the dishes at Mongolian Quick Stop contain MSG. How’s that for healthy eating? Dishes are prepared and cooked only upon ordering, so one can expect a fresh and hot meal in just a few minutes.

The Mongolian Eat-All-You-Can, P245, is an experience in itself that one must definitely try. If one’s in the mood for a sweet seafood mix, then feel free to come back for seconds…and thirds, even. If one has a palate that’s more accustomed to spicy food, then load up on the chili! Meat-lovers can choose to have more beef, pork, and chicken in their bowls, while semi-vegetarians can enjoy limitless fresh vegetables and seafood.

Those with smaller appetites can opt for the Single Mongolian Bowl, P130, where one can fill the bowl with one’s choice of fresh ingredients and they will fill it up with one’s choice of meat and seafood. The King’s Bowl, P89, has choices of Beef, Pork, Chicken, Vegetarian, or Seafood, with one’s choice of sauce. But for those on the go, the Mongolian Quickbox, P75, is perfect, which comes in sweet, spicy, or sweet and spicy.

Mongolian Quick Stop also has special ala carte dishes on their menu, all served with unlimited serving of tasty cream or clear soup…for free! Children have come to favor the MQS Fried Chicken, P65 (1-piece with rice) and P110 (P2-piece with rice), which is crisp and golden brown on the outside, served with authentic gravy. For those who aren’t exactly in the mood for rice, the Spicy Fish Pasta, P65, and the Oriental Shrimp Pasta, P75, are both filling and flavorful, with just the right hint of spicy flavor.

Some of the more popular dishes include the Squid Szechuan, P99, with distinctively fresh squid that’s very tender and easily portioned; Pork Barbecue, P89, with its juicy meat and served with savory Java rice; Chicken Teriyaki, P99, with steaming hot rice and fresh side vegetables; and Fried Tofu, P50, the perfect appetizer while waiting for the main course.

To cap off a healthy meal, desserts are definitely a must at Mongolian Quick Stop. Rewarding one’s self with Vanilla Ice Cream served with freshly made Buco Pandan Jelly or Coffee Jelly, drizzled with chocolate syrup.

Mongolian Quick Stop currently has 14 branches all over the metro: Festival Mall, Alabang; Gateway, Araneta Center; Cubao, Quezon City; Robinsons Galleria; Robinsons Place, Pioneer; SM City, Sucat; SM Makati; SM Mall of Asia; Waltermart, Makati; Yummy Corner, Medical City; Cybermall, Eastwood; Cash & Carry, Makati; Eastbytes, North Gate Alabang; and Waltermart, North EDSA.