Sweet Escape: Hataw Na 2017 Promotes Less Sugar, More Physical Activities to Prevent Diabetes

FAME Inc. Publisher Dr. Rafael Castillo with Dr. Joy Arabelle C. Fontanilla, DiabetEASE Magazine Editor-in-Chief; Dr. Augusto D. Litonjua, Father of Philippine Endocrinology; and Dr. Pepito dela Pena, President of Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Sweet Escape: Hataw Na 2017 held last August 18 at Starmall, Alabang

Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions (FAME) Inc., publisher of DiabetEASE Magazine, conducted the Sweet Escape: Hataw Na 2017, an annual advocacy event promoting awareness on the risks, prevention, and management of diabetes mellitus last August 18, Friday at Starmall Activity Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.



DiabetEASE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and head of Center for Weight Intervention and Nutrition Services (WINS) at St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City Dr. Joy Arabelle C. Fontanilla said that diabetes is a deadly disease which should be properly addressed to alleviate the ballooning of number of people with diabetes.



Dr. Joy Arabelle C. Fontanilla, Head of Center for Weight Intervention and Nutrition Services (WINS) at St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City and DiabetEASE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief

“In every six seconds, there is one person with diabetes who dies from diabetes somewhere in the world,” said Dr. Fontanilla.

With such an alarming figure, she cited tips and advice on how diabetes and its complications can be prevented.

“Lahat po tayo ay kumain nang tama, mag-ehersisyo, have a healthy lifestyle so that we can prevent the complications and onset of diabetes,” she added.

In recent years, diabetes—a non-communicable disease (NCD) that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively utilize the insulin it produces; thus causing elevation of glucose level in the blood—has shown a rapid growth of prevalence rate globally. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are approximately 415 million adults suffering from diabetes worldwide, and more than 542,000 children live with type 1 diabetes.


Dr. Augusto Litonjua, Father of Philippine Endocrinology and President of the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation (PCDEF) Inc., shed light on the causes and risk factors for diabetes. He said that the culprit in diabetes is not the fact we eat but rather, the sugar which is found in fruits and in processed foods.

Dr. Augusto Litonjua, Father of Philippine Endocrinology and President of Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation (PCDEF) Inc.

“Hindi po ‘yong cholesterol ang nagiging sanhi ng pagtaas ng triglyceride, blood pressure, at diabetes. Iyan po nagsisimula sa asukal na ang tawag ay fructose,” added Dr. Litonjua.

Fructose, a type of naturally occurring sugar found in numerous foods such as soft drinks, commercial cereals, dried fruits, among others, is a known cause of insulin resistance which is a precursor to diabetes.
Dr. Litonjua noted that the fat buildup inside a person’s stomach causes complications in the liver which then leads to NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes.



President of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) Dr. Pepito dela Peña capped off the event with a lecture on the importance of exercise and maintaining physical fitness for a diabetic person.

President of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) Dr. Pepito dela Peña
“Being sedentary, o ‘pag laging nakaupo, stiffens the joints, weakens the muscles, affects the circulatory system by fat accumulation, and the heart loses strength,” said Dr. dela Peña.

According to him, “sitting disease” is one of the most common conditions today that is difficult to tackle as it has become a normal practice for many, that is why he encouraged the public to exercise regularly.
Meanwhile, event partners The Diabetes Store (TDS) and PhilHealth also talked about their respective campaigns in relation to the metabolic disease.



PhilHealth Regional South Anabelle Llanto and diabetes educator and The Diabetes Store representative Patricia Mae Recto
TDS is the country’s first one-stop-shop for diabetes, catering to all needs concerning diabetes. It offers a wide array of products and services that help people with diabetes check and manage their respective conditions.

Patricia Mae Recto, diabetes educator and representative of TDS, discussed about grocery shopping assistance to help guide diabetes patients with proper nutrition diet.

“Pag kakain tayo, dapat balanced. Dapat may rice, protein, vegetables, fruits, fat, and milk,” said Recto.

She also advised to always plan ahead of time and bring a shopping list when going to the grocery store so that a person knows which foods to buy and to avoid.

Thereafter, Head of Marketing of PhilHealth Regional South Anabelle Llanto explained the PhilHealth’s benefit packages that a diabetes patient can apply for and its availing requirements.

“Naka-case rate po ang diabetes depende sa type nito. Usually kapag diabetes, nag-re-range ng PhP 15,000 pataas,” Llanto said.

PhilHealth is the no. 1 health insurance company in the Philippines, implementing universal health coverage for over two decades by helping pay for the medical bills of the sick.



Hataw Na: Hataw Galaw Para sa Kalusugan
As a part of the Sweet Escape’s push for the betterment of living with diabetes, it also brought the second Hataw Na: Hataw Galaw Sayaw Para sa Kalusugan Intercollegiate Urban Dance Competition.
The competition aims to encourage people with diabetes and their families to embrace a healthier and active lifestyle through physical activities such as dancing.

Being physically active makes a person less prone to diabetes and its complications. By encouraging the youth to support the advocacy in such manner, Sweet Escape believes that the fight against diabetes will become stronger over the years to come.
All participating groups were required to incorporate Sweet Escape’s theme of promoting health in their dance routine as a part of the judging criteria. The panel of judges was composed of Ms. Presy Tamayo, Axcess4Life Zumba Instructor; Mr. Arnel Enriquez, Dance Director of Cultural and Tourism Office of Muntinlupa City; and Mr. Hudson Pelayo, Operations manager of FAME Inc.






Among the nine groups that showcased their talents and competed for the Hataw Na grand title, Sibol Dance Crew from ICCT Cainta was named as this year’s Hataw Na grand champion, followed by CEU Street Squad from Centro Escolar University as the 1st runner-up, and AMA Makati Dance Crew from AMA Computer College Makati as the 2nd runner-up.

The event also featured raffle draws for the event participants; a Zumba party led by Axcess4Life Wellness Solutions Inc. members; a ballroom intermission dance presented by The Muntinlupa Yaman ng Kalinangan Dance Company; and a karate demo session headed by the members of the Team Shitokai PKL Philippines who are known as the League of Champions.

The Sweet Escape 2017 is in cooperation with the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation (PCDEF) Inc., and Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM).

The event would also like to thank Starmall Alabang, City Government of Muntinlupa, PhilHealth, Diabetes Store, HealthFirst Clinic, Corbridge, Herbalife Nutrition, Omizu (Beautifying Natural Spring Water), Lightwater and Musli Biscuits under Suncoast Brands, Monea Salon Professional Series, Philippine Karate-do League Inc., Creative Baker, Enchanted Kingdom, Café France, C-Lium Fibre, Cocoline Naturals, and Coco Natura.

Cusi Lauds PH Solar Energy Development

Photo Caption: Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi together with President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Loren Legarda, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Charito Plaza, Solar Philippines President Lean Leviste with Team Solar Philippines staffers during yesterday's First Filipino Owned Solar Factory inauguration.

The inauguration of the first Filipino-owned solar panel facility in Batangas Wednesday is a testament to the government's progress in revitalizing the local renewable energy (RE) industry for the benefit of consumers and the economy, according to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.

“Investments in RE facilities and technologies can create more jobs," Cusi said at the event graced by President Rodrigo Duterte. "We can also take pride in trading Filipino-made energy technologies, while also developing Filipino expertise in RE technologies.” The RE investment also empowers consumers through more affordable and sustainable energy use, according to the Secretary.

“The solar panel facility and similar investments on solar energy will support the implementation of vital renewable energy policies. This includes the net-metering program, which encourages consumers to become 'prosumers'. This is done by the installation of solar rooftop systems in their properties and enable consumers to produce their own energy. In the end, it results to energy efficiency and savings on power cost,” Cusi said.

“Moreover, with more energy options available, consumers are expected to gear towards finding the right balance and ‘diskarte’ in satisfying their energy needs,” he added.

“Having more energy choices would also support the implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) under the Electric Power Industry,” Cusi pointed out.

Cusi also said, “These investments would support the total electrification goal by 2022, accelerate delivery of energy services, and drive the development of RE particularly solar for baseload through a 24/7 battery storage.”

Cusi, all the same, emphasized that the DOE remains aggressive in providing a level playing field for the investors in the various energy technologies for the benefit of the Filipino consumers.

38th Annual National Grader’s Convention of Junior Members and Teacher Advisers

The Children’s Museum and Library, Inc., Junior Council – National Executive Board 2017 added an event: 38th Annual National Grader’s Convention of Junior Members and Teacher Advisers.

The rise of new technology has made it all the easier to expand the reach of youth; updating that reach with excellence is the promise waiting to be fulfilled at this year’s CMLI Annual Grader’s Convention.

Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City is sure to be #LIT with the theme “Dream for the Nation: Engaging the Filipino Youth as Responsible Digital Citizens in Cultivating a Unified Online Community” for this five day convention happening from August 31 to September 4, 2017.

The power to influence and be influenced has never been more readily available than at present, with the rise of social media and new technology. But as the saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility”, and that is exactly what the Annual Grader’s Convention aims to instill onto its participants. In keeping a welcoming and constructive approach to this aim, CMLI continues to empower visionary leaders moving to unify and cultivate their communities and their country.

Through various symposia, workshops, competitions, activities, and commission discussions the Annual Grader’s Convention will immerse delegates in the process of building their dreams for the nation.

Will you join us again, as we #DreamForTheNation?

For more information, you may contact Peavey Alemania, Secretary (0917 584 4958) or Aina Isla, Public Relations Officer (0915 871 8994). You may also contact the CMLI Secretariat through (02) 435-0008 or cmlijcneb2017@gmail.com.

An Eddie Mesa Tribute by the Eigenmanns with Sing Us Your Song Again

The Elvis Presley of the Philippines is Back! One of the country's all-time most-loved singer-actors will stage his very first full concert after more than 28 years!

At a media launch held at the Valencia Events Place in Quezon City, majority of the Eigenmann clan from down to the 4th generation has come together to announce the upcoming tribute concert to Eddie Mesa.

No less than Cherie Gil, sibling of Michael de Mesa and the late Mark Gil, led the press conference, together with most of the other actors within their clan includibg Andi Eigenmann, Sid Lucero, and others.



EDDIE MESA headlines the "SING US YOUR SONG AGAIN: THE MUSIC AND LEGACY OF EDDIE MESA" that will keep us rockin' and rollin' all night long as he takes us through the journey of his career spanning 4 decades. Joining him are PILITA CORRALES, CHRISTOPHER DE LEON EDGAR MORTIZ TIRSO CRUZ III, RAMON RJ JACINTO CIARA SOTTO THE HOTLEGS AND OF COURSE THE ACTORS OF THE EIGENMANN CLAN NAMELEY, MICHAEL DE MESA, RYAN, GEOFF, MAX, GABBY, ANDI EIGENMANN, SID LUCERO AND CHERIE GIL.

The concert, which is directed by Bert de Leon with musical direction of Mel Villena, will take you back in time as the star-studded line-up perform classic songs from the 50s all the way to the current hit songs.

Produced by MYOWNMANN PRODUCTIONS, INC

SING US YOUR SONG AGAIN will be held on September 23, 2017 at the Meralco Theatre.  Tickets are now available at TICKETWORLD

Buy your tickets now. This will surely be one concert you will not want to miss!

Remain Zit-Free with Proactiv Anti-Acne Treatment

What is your favorite anti-acne treatment?

I can't think of anything else that effectively works as advertised. Not only is Proactiv the most popular anti-acne solution, it is also conveniently available at all Watsons and SM Department stores, asude from the existing other malls all over the metro.

Nowadays, clear skin is just another beauty counter away. With so many places to find Proactiv, and with its amazingly reasonable price, you'll surely never look for anything else.

The acne clearing system’s effectiveness in dealing with stubborn acne has garnered a loyal following in the country, and consumers can enjoy extensive skin care by dropping by at any Watsons and SM Department store branch nationwide.

The U.S. brand offers a solid collection of individual products that covers the skin care needs of Filipinos struggling with acne and blemishes. Each item in the Proactiv kit is developed to treat the whole face, clearing problematic spots and preventing acne before it starts. What’s more, Proactiv also offers a 30-Day and 60-Day Kit system to make it easier for users who find it challenging to create their own skin care routine.

Such is the popularity of Proactiv in the U.S that its fame reached the Philippines. Filipinos are known to be extra discerning when it comes to their beauty choices and Proactiv, with its strong suit of products and proven effectiveness, fits the bill.

Thankfully, consumers can enjoy easy access to their favorite skin care system with the brand available nationwide. What’s more, Proactiv is still offering its money-back guarantee for those who are not satisfied with its results.

Get your own Proactiv system at (Php 2,495) for the 30-day kit and Php 3,995) for the 60-day kit. Just visit any Watsons and SM department store branch to get your golden ticket to clear, beautiful skin.

SAP, Accenture Collaborate to Nurture Next Generation of IT Talent in the Philippines

SAP SE, in collaboration with Accenture, announced a new next-generation program that aims to provide mentorship and skills development for future IT talent in the Philippines. The program aims to benefit 500 information technology (IT) students from top universities in the Philippines through a curriculum that incorporates SAP technologies that drive digital transformation.

This collaboration between SAP and Accenture is part of both companies’ strategy to address market needs in the Philippines to groom new talents and prepare them for the digital economy. The three-year program is part of SAP Next-Gen, which enables SAP customers and alliance partners to introduce in disruptive innovation and accelerate their exponential enterprise journeys and digital futures through connecting with students, startups, academic thought leaders and researchers, accelerators, venture firms, and other partners in the SAP University Alliances (UA) innovation network.

To kick off, students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Mapua Institute of Technology, both of which are members of the SAP UA, are provided with individual trial accounts on SAP Cloud Platform. It provides them access to the curricula that comprises a combination of teaching materials from SAP UA and SAP Cloud Platform Tech Academy, as well as industry expertise from Accenture.

The IT students will undergo a series of lectures and workshops. From the pool of participants, SAP and Accenture will select several participants for further engagements.

“As society and businesses advance in the digital economy, enterprises need to invest in not only innovative software solutions but also in their people to build new capabilities and succeed in today’s market environment. As a company, we are committed to learning excellence for our current and prospective employees. We are excited to be working with our community of university students alongside our partner, Accenture, and look forward to seeing some great project ideas transpire from this program,” said Ryan Poggi, Managing Director, SAP Philippines.

Ambe Tierro, Senior Managing Director and Lead for Accenture Technology in the Philippines, said Accenture is looking forward to working closely with SAP in co-developing the curriculum extension program, team-teaching sessions with the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) faculty, and creating career campaign initiatives for students. “Accenture is eager to see this program through with SAP to develop the next-generation of technology professionals and, in the process, help them future-proof their careers,” she added.

SAP shares knowledge in building, managing, optimizing and securing the next generation of applications and solutions that will help companies stay relevant. Participants of the program are given the chance to access new SAP technologies and build their own software by utilizing SAP Cloud Platform.

Optimized for innovation, SAP Cloud Platform help companies go digital with greater ease through a broad range of enterprise reliability and data scale features – such as data management, analytics, and application development – that provide greater stability and business continuity; enhanced workload management, data quality and analytical processes; and easier building and deployment of next-generation applications.

Poggi concluded, “By working alongside our alliance partners in the ecosystem, SAP aims to inspire next generation designers, developers, and business leaders to leverage the latest technologies to innovate smart solutions for the digital economy.”

Photographer From Philippines Crowned Runner-Up in Regional Photography Competition

Contestant Silver Vito Niño Andrada represented the Philippines in regional photography competition, Through the Lens, hosted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore and has emerged as the competition runner-up

Image 1: Runner-up Silver Vito Niño Andrada from the Philippines snapped two squirrel monkeys—submitted in
the ‘cute’ category—‘hanging out’ in the forest canopy.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) today revealed the overall winner for its inaugural wildlife photography competition, Through the Lens.

Photographer Tapan Sheth from India took the winning title for his entry capturing a veiled chameleon in Singapore Zoo’s newest exhibit, RepTopia.

The competition, which was open to professional and aspiring photographers in the region, received over 1,700 entries across five countries in Asia. Representing India in the regional finals which took place in Singapore last month, Tapan competed against other finalists from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to capture what nature means to him, through his lens.

Tapan commented: “I wanted to capture the physical attributes of the animals ijn detail, and most importantly, in an angle that intrigues the viewer to look beyond the surface of an image.

“The veiled chameleon on its own is beautiful to behold. Here its natural colour is set off by the forest environment captured in the photo, which makes it easier to appreciate with the naked eye.

More often than not, we overlook so many of the elements that make up the natural habitats around us.

With this photo, I hope I can encourage the public to take a moment to appreciate even the smallest details that surround us.”

“I’m passionate about wildlife photography so my visit to the wildlife parks in Singapore was an unforgettable experience. Through various behind the scenes tours we got to really witness the passion that the keepers show when educating members of the public on the importance of wildlife appreciation and conservation.”

Ms Isabel Cheng, Chief Marketing Officer, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said: “We thank all of the talented contestants for their participation and remarkable entries. Their images caught so many beautiful moments and it’s been fascinating to see the different stories captured by each participant through their lens—influenced by the natural landscapes from their own country. The winning image by Tapan inspires us to look closer at, and appreciate, the environment around us—the beauty of which is very often right under our noses without us seeing it.”

The contest was launched for the first time this year by WRS, in partnership with local photography groups around the region, including Kunzum.com in India, to encourage photographers to capture the powerful connection between humans, nature and wildlife through their lens. The entries were assessed based on five different categories including cute, humorous, animals up-close, meaningful and park icons.

WRS manages four award-winning wildlife attractions—Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and Singapore Zoo. Each park offers a unique experience for visitors, infused with education around biodiversity and conservation efforts, which WRS is driving around the region.

For more information on Through the Lens, visit https://www.facebook.com/wrs.sg/.

The grand prize winner and runners-up each receive a HTC U11, the world’s first squeezable smartphone with the highest ever smartphone camera ratingi—ideal for capturing nature and wildlife moments on the go!

TAS Trans P2P buses, now accepting beep card

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AF Payments Inc. announced that starting August 23, Wednesday, commuters can use their beep™ card to pay for rides in TAS Trans’ point-to-point (P2P) buses plying Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Promenade Glorietta 2 and Circuit Makati in Makati City. Trips are from 5AM to 9PM, with buses leaving every 20 minutes during peak hours to an hour during off-peak hours, or when the bus is full.

To celebrate the launch of this new route, TAS Trans will offer a promo fare of only P150 (one way), while the discounted fare for senior citizens, PWDs, and students is at P120. This will be offered until November 30, after which, regular fare will be P250 (one-way).

TAS Trans premium P2P buses are 45-seaters, with provisions for a wheelchair. They boast of fully climate-controlled environments, leather and padded reclining seats, and free Wi-Fi. All buses are GPS-enabled and equipped with CCTVs, with first aid kits and drivers competent to administer emergency medical aid.

The P2P bus service system was created by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to help reduce traffic congestion since these buses travel nonstop from the terminal to the drop-off point. From only three routes in end-2015, it has expanded to more destinations from as far as Fairview in the north to Dasmariñas, Cavite in the south. With P2P buses, commuters enjoy the convenience of guaranteed seats, premium amenities, and buses that depart as scheduled.

“P2P buses offer a convenient alternative to ease commuting worries these days. The service is continuously expanding and with beep™ card acceptance, commuters can transfer seamlessly from one line to another as necessary,” said Peter Maher, President and CEO of AF Payments Inc..

beep™ card is a tap-and-go payment system accepted in all three elevated railways (LRT 1, LRT 2, and MRT 3), CAVITEX, NLEX, and at select bus lines, FamilyMart, and Robinsons Movieworld branches. It is reloadable and valid for up to four years. More information may be obtained from beep card on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Glupa: Putting the Spotlight on Women Empowerment

An empowered woman is a beautiful woman. She possesses a lasting beauty that radiates from within. She is content with what she has, but that is not to say she does not aspire to improve her life and the lives of the people around her. She strives to do better every single day, and she is motivated by something far more important than material wealth.

It is easy to label beautiful women as shallow and superficial. We see them and judge them outright. For most, it is incomprehensible for beauty and substance to go together. However, this writer was lucky enough to sit down with two smart, eloquent, beautiful, and empowered women for a chat about beauty and women empowerment.

Aiza Diuco, founder and CEO of Age Defying Solutions, and Glupa’s latest endorser model Bea Candaza, each looked radiant as they approached our table at the lobby of the EDSA Shangri-la. They were hard to miss because they are both statuesque and quite striking.

Ms. Diuco has long been an advocate of women empowerment and a strong believer in education as an effective means of improving one’s life and as a solution to poverty eradication. Ms. Candaza, on the other hand, once gave up an opportunity to enter the lucrative world of show business when she was granted a full college scholarship.



Both women have always worked hard and they have always known which things to prioritize and which things only weigh them down.

At 10, Ms. Candaza started working as a model. By the time she turned 13, she was handling her finances on her own. Work has always been a part of her life. And as a young girl, she thought every child worked and made his or her own money.
“I started doing commercials at a very young age. So during that time, I thought everybody did the same. I grew up with friends who were also commercial models,” said Ms. Candaza.

There was no hint of resentment in her voice, despite circumstances forcing her to help provide for her family. With the money she earned from modeling, she was able to send herself and her siblings to a private school.

Ms. Candaza is grateful that she was given the opportunity to help her parents at such a young age. She said they did not have much while she was growing up, but they always made her and her siblings feel loved.

It is not hard to imagine why Ms. Diuco chose Ms. Candaza to represent Glupa, a company which she has built from the ground up. When asked what made her decide to hire Ms. Candaza, she said, “I’d been following her on Instagram. I met her through Jay Buen, who was my photographer in one of my photoshoots for a Manila Bulletin feature. I saw in her posts that she’s not just beautiful outside, she’s also beautiful inside. Every time I look at her posts, I see how she looks at life, how she views reality, and even though she’s a millennial, I feel that she’s mature for her age. I believe she can be a good brand spokesperson, aside from being an image model. I was looking for someone who’s a total package. Someone who won’t just display her skin or beauty, but someone who can speak on my and company’s behalf and the talk about Glupa.

More than whitening skin, Glupa is also about giving their clients a healthy, smooth, and even-toned skin. Their products are backed by a solid Research and Development team, led by the very competent and very hands-on Ms. Diuco.

Ms. Candaza believes in the importance of finding the best skincare products that suit one’s needs. She said her search for the best skin whitening products came to an end the moment she tried Glupa. She does not only believe in the products, she also believes in the company behind them.

“Glupa has been here for almost a decade. I guess you could say it’s one of the pioneers of skin whitening products. Apart from the research and development that went into developing these products, this company is a company built by a woman who had a vision. So, this was not meant solely as a business that they would really mass produce. This is someone’s dream, crafted with love. Everything is handpicked by Ms. Aiza herself. It makes you appreciate the products even more because you know all the hard work that goes into making them,” said Ms. Candaza.

Ms. Diuco is a true visionary. Not only is she empowering women by making them more confident and providing jobs for them, she also empowers young women by focusing on Personality Development.
“Currently I’m very passionate about educating young women about developing their personalities. Ranging from skincare to the way they carry themselves, the way they walk, poise and posture, how they talk. Part of that is good communication skills. Teaching them about that. I have future speaking engagements at different schools for girls, where I’ll be talking about personality development. I’ll be talking about not just skincare but other aspects as well that will help them improve themselves. What I want to do is empower them through my seminars and workshops, giving them tips so that they will be ready for college or their future careers.”
This holistic approach to personality development is a welcome change in a seemingly shallow world focused on physical beauty.

When asked to define beauty, Ms. Candaza said, “I’ve always said it’s something that is within. Whatever you have within, it radiates, and that’s how you become beautiful. If you keep negative things inside you, people will see it. I believe in inner peace and inner balance.”

“For me, beauty is not just something that you see outside but something that you also feel and see inside. It doesn’t stop at having good features or a perfect skin. It goes deeper than that. A person becomes more beautiful if she has a good heart. And if she has substance. When I say substance, I mean she has to have the necessary knowledge and skills to face the world,” said Ms. Diuco.

I Found My Heart in Santa Fe

Real-life lovers Will Devaughn and Roxanne Barcelo stars in a new movie called "I Found My Heart in Santa Fe."

At a bloggers conference held at the Victorino's Restaurant in Quezon City,  the two together with their Director,  Bona Fajardo,  met with the bloggers to promote and discuss their movie shot entirely around Santa Fe,  a town in Bantayan Island of Cebu.

Needless to say,  there's going to be a lot of superb sceneries of the beach, plus the amazing bods of both Will and Roxanne.

Aside from promoting tourism,  the movie is more than just the usual romcom because the cast and director revealed that the two are mostly not together as a couple,  until only nearing the end. They also said that there could be a sequel since the story doesn't really end yet.  The audience will surely anticipate a follow-up to the relationship.



Originally, the character of Will is actually looking for something or someone else (said to be his mother) but end up with the character of Roxanne who describes herself as "babaeng bakla" mainly because of her gay lingo dialouges and gestures.

Roxanne also sang the soundtrack of the movie with "Morning,  Noon and Night Time" also being played frequently on the trailer. She also sang "Morena" that gives emphasis to being brown-skinned like the majority of Filipinas.  Roxanne is just disappointed that many prefer to be of white complexion rather than proud of being "Morena." She said tgat most foreigners find Filipinas "exotic" for its rarity. She said Filipinos should embrace their natural colors instead of working their ass off to buy skin whitening products.

When asked if they feel they have the chemistry even on screen, the real-life sweethearts acting together will not have plenty of love scenes to confirm that since they are not together as a loving couple in the movie.



Will plays as Viktor,  a German national working for an NGO,  while Roxanne plays as Jennifer,  a local in the island mending a broken heart, thus a reason why she keeps avoiding being intimate with Viktor who is attracted to Jennifer. But the two got closer during a tour at Kinatarcan Island where they had time learning about each other.


The movie is produced by BLUart Productions with executive producers Lyn Fajardo and Noy Aurelio.

Movie has a playdate of September 15 for Cine Lokal

Watch the video clips we took from the blogcon including personalized video interviews and invites from the couple. We uploaded all the videos on our official Wazzup Pilipinas FB page at http://www.Facebook.com/WazzupPilipinas