Maniolas

Unlike the Philippines, tea has long been regarded in countries such as Britain, China, Japan, and Indonesia as an elixir of good health, and with good reason.  Consumption of some teas may be protective against heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers; and it can boost immune function, improve mental alertness, and increase satiety, as some research suggests.  So, Filipinos may need to start steeping and sipping more tea if we want to be healthier! “If there’s anything that can confidently be communicated to the public, it’s the strong association of tea drinking with a lower risk of common chronic diseases, particularly heart disease, and the demonstration of that benefit through clinical trials,” says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, PhD, director of the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, and chair of the International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health, held in Washington, DC recently. The symposium spotlighted new evidence of the health benefits of tea, ranging from preventing osteoporosis to improving digestion.  Other new studies have recently linked tea consumption to lower incidence of some cancers and reduced risk of functional disability. Why is tea good for you?  All types of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, while varying in their nutritional profiles, contain antioxidant compounds called flavonoids.  “About one-third of the weight of the tea leaf is flavonoid, which is high, especially when you consider that they are accompanied by virtually no calories,” Blumberg explains.  “There are a lot of related Read More …

Nikki Gil and Venus Raj open up their homes to YES!

William Chua with one of his sculptures, currently on view at The Gallery, Shangri-La Plaza Hotel. Photo by BOY SANTOS MANILA, Philippines -“I seldom see an artist awed by his subjects like Dr. William Chua,” explains The Crucible Gallery’s Sari Ortiga. Ortiga is talking about how Chua — a cardiologist and electrophysiologist who is also a painter and a sculptor — is so fascinated with the inner working of the human heart.  As an artist, Chua has held exhibitions since 1996 using, fittingly enough, the heart as his major subject. He has mounted shows in the Philippines and in the US, particularly New York and Washington D.C. His paintings have been included in several art books. Heart: Sketches in Eden is a handsome notebook-style compilation of drawings and paintings by Chua. His massive sculpture titled “Puso” (black iron pipe in red urethane finish on black granite base) sits in front of the Medical Arts Building at the Philippine Heart Center. The doctor’s latest sculptures are currently on view until June 25 at The Gallery, Mezzanine Level of EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Hotel in Mandaluyong City. The show is titled “Tangible Rhythms,” featuring a rhapsody of shapes and forms that aim to depict the mysterious interior beats of that particular thing that moves everyone’s world: the heart. Dr. Chua is in love with the process of sculpture itself, continues Ortiga. “The result is a sincere piece of art paying homage to creation itself.” The artist-doctor agrees, confessing that his oeuvre is dedicated Read More …

THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday announced the eight official entries that will compete in this year’s edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Kris Aquino’s “Feng Shui 2” is on the list followed by Vic Sotto’s “My Big Bossing’s Adventures,” and Vice Ganda and Richard Yap starrer “Praybeyt Benjamin 2”. Regal Entertainment’s horror flick “Shake, Rattle and Roll XV” is also part of the festival together with historic drama “Bonifacio: Gusto Mo Ba Siya Makilala?” Dingdong Dantes’ “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2,” action flick “Magnum Muslim 357,” and romance comedy “English Only Please”. Meanwhile, “Kid Kulafu” and “Kung Hanap Mo ay Ligaya sa Buhay” are on standby in case one of the entries backs out from the festival. The 2014 MMFF will kick-off on Christmas Day. (Sunnex) DISCLAIMER: Sun.Star website welcomes friendly debate, but comments posted on this site do not necessary reflect the views of the Sun.Star management and its affiliates. Sun.Star reserves the right to delete, reproduce or modify comments posted here without notice. Posts that are inappropriate will automatically be deleted. Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!

Although he admits to having been delinquent in school, RJ Padilla promises to be professional when it comes to work.