BC Philippines February-March 2014 Pia Guanio-Mago by BC Magazine Philippines

Israeli actress, producer, reality TV star, and mom of two, Shirly Brener

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A Lookback at U.S. Winter Olympic Stars and Their Families On broadcasting from helicopters, a whirlwind engagement, the intimate wedding with husband, Steeve, and raising their daughter, Scarlet, in faith

for two: Best Date Places, Wine Cheat Sheet

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INSIDE BC

contents 10 feng shui your nursery Pro tips from Feng Shui consultant, interior designer, and author, Tisha Morris

10 52 26

ON THE COVER: PIA GUANIO-MAGO WTH HER HUSBAND, STEEVE, AND DAUGHTER, SCARLET

18 lady of the house Medela’s Maricel Cua talks about parenthood and how her passion for breastfeeding has helped hundreds 47 bc’s best date places Our suggestions for a night to remember with your special someone (or the whole family)

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INSIDE BC

contents 34 what to expect when you’re expecting Curated shopping for the pregnant mama 60 rules of engagement Our first and exclusive look at the family lives of TV host Pia GuanioMago with husband, Steeve and daughter, Scarlet 77 bring home the gold These olympic parents are highly awarded both in their athletic and family lives

92 34

92 shirly’s journey An exclusive scoop on the busy life of Israeli producer, actress and reality TV star, Shirly Brenner

ON THE COVER: PIA GUANIO-MAGO WTH HER HUSBAND, STEEVE, AND DAUGHTER, SCARLET

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editor’s note

myself with make up artist Gela Laurel-Stehmeier and cover mom Pia Guanio-Mago; The team behind the cover shoot; my darling, bruce, who is always remembered

Sweet Reunion

t’s always a treat to cross paths again with familiar faces. With this particular cover shoot, I got to work for the first time with top caliber makeup artist, Gela Laurel-Stehmeier, whom I know from my days in Zobel. We were both cheerleaders back in high school, her being a few years younger. She is still the same fresh-faced beauty I remember, but this time, I find her armed with impeccable beautifying skills that our country’s A-Listers continue to request for. Another wonderful blast from the past is reestablishing connections with our cover mom herself, Pia GuanioMago. My last recollection of her was shooting her on the cover of our previously owned men’s magazine, clad in a bikini. Still possessing the same physique that could land her on the front pages of any lad mag, Pia’s beauty and personality remains upbeat and charismatic, but this time she looks even more at peace. Comes with the territory of motherhood and having the man you love around, I assume. I am, naturally, referring to Pia’s husband, Steeve Mago, who also hails from Gela and my high school Alma Mater. There is around a 7-year gap between the couple, and yet it feels as if no age difference exists. Scarlet, their adorable sweetheart of a 2-year old, is a joy to have around. Her parents are very obviously smitten with their firstborn. Speaking of eldests, February is a bittersweet month for our family. We love celebrating Valentine’s Day with the kids. Normally we eat out, shop, or spend the night at a hotel with the kids—my husband and I don’t really date because we favor being around our children, knowing they are safe, and we prefer movie nights at home while the three tikes are sleeping on our two queen-sized beds formed into a big one that they can roll around in. We figure our kids will soon

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be big enough and might not want much of our company in their teens, so we take advantage of every moment we can share. Going back to February, this month also marks the first anniversary of our furry “child’s” passing—our Labrador, Bruce, whom we had for almost 13 years. He was with us 3 years before our human child was born, and was our constant companion—sleeping in the car with the AC on while we were at the mall, church visits at 4 AM when troubles crept into our hearts, even accompanying us to the US when we lived there for almost 6 years, and then back to Manila. I think of our Brucey everyday—and I am still moved to tears as I type my memories of him. From the moment I laid eyes on that gorgeous, rugged, rambunctious, troublemaker of a fella at the breeders, I knew he was the one we would practice our ‘parenting’ skills on. He started us off with the values of patience and unconditional love—he was always considered in any family decision made. He was the original daddy’s boy: one look from his dad would have his tail wagging. I never did get that same reaction from Bruce, but loved him just as much (it is our Golden Retriever, Sera, who gives me that kind of affection). Although the purest love I have ever felt in my life is one for and from God, my children, husband, and dogs—not everyone’s true love comes in those forms. For some, it is love to a parent, sibling, friend, career, self, co-worker, and might even be unrequited. However way it is felt, the feeling cannot be beat or bought. To be alive and not to love is a true waste of time on this earth. I wish that you encounter or rekindle any or even all forms of true love today.

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Contributors Alissa Abecassis, Yciar Castillo, Kat Cruz-Villanueva, Nessel Cruz, Alberto “Alvin” Diaz, Abraham Joseph-Pal, Gela Laurel-Stehmeier, Dee Louis-Scott, Kamille Ocampo, Rhea Oronan, Nikita Recile, Jackey Shin

BC Magazine Philippines is published by BCMedia Inc., 2/F One Legacy Place, Don Jesus Boulevard corner Kentucky Drive, Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa City, Philippines. Visit us online at bcmag.ph. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. For advertising, subscriptions, back orders or other inquiries, please call 0939.130.0997, 0916.507.3227, 552.6884, 904.1665 or e-mail info@bcmag.ph. Opinions expressed in this publication are that of the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by BCMedia Inc. BC Magazine Philippines is not responsible for unsolicited samples, products, work, and materials, and submissions are non-returnable. If you wish to submit written work, photographs, artwork, products, samples, other services, etc., please accompany with a self-addressed envelope, postage paid, or a prepaid return label.

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WORDS AND INTERVIEW BY VALERIE ANNE DEL CASTILLO

feng shui your nusery

While we’re still recovering from the holiday festivities (and lbs!) while gearing up for summer, here are some tips on how to bring in the luck (and keep your home organized)—especially for the sleeping quarters of your most treasured

+ MOM BEAUTY ESSENTIALS…MEDELA MOM MARICEL CUA…are you too clean?…

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he New Year often brings new resoluHO tions for families and individuals, and while most like to look to cultural habits and traditions to maximize their luck throughout the year, it’s important to stick to the basic, such as cleanliness and organization. Tisha Morris, Feng Shui consultant and interior designer and author of Mind Body Home: Transforming Your Life One Room at a Time, talks to BC about the importance of energy flow in every room in the house, how to apply Feng Shui in our children’s nurseries, and make our homes an overall better place to live in. Her recently released book also talks about the energetic connection between ourselves and our homes, and discusses ways in which we can create a holistic home for our

E US

BC: What must parents keep in mind when investing in furniture for their children’s nursery? Tisha: Keep it simple. The tendency

may be to go all out and decorate a nursery to the nines, but consider keeping it simple. Remember that a baby is new to the physical world and can get overstimulated very easily. Murals or imagery of forests and storybook characters may be overwhelming. Avoid large furniture items that give the appearance of towering over the bed. Babies want to feel safe, protected, and cradled, but oversized furniture can feel overbearing. Be conscious of the history of the furniture that you place in a nursery. For example, an antique crib from the Civil War era carries with it the energy of its past. Consider the energy contained in family pieces and whether that it is positive or negative energy that you want carried forward for your child.

families that promotes a healthier and more positive way of living. Here, Tisha sheds light on how to apply

BC: How must cribs and changing tables be arranged in a room? T: Avoid having too much furniture.

Only have furniture in a nursery that serves a function. Try not to put any furniture in the center of the room because it disrupts the energy flow of the room. The crib should not be in the direct of the door. Constant noises or people walking past can be disturbing toward the child. I suggest keeping the furniture along the walls. Once your child is old enough to sleep in a bed, have nightstands on each side of the bed. This gives a feeling of support and protectiveness. Also avoid furniture pieces with harsh corners. Use soft blankets and textures for a cozy, safe, and comfortable space. BC: What’s your Feng Shui advice for parents who co-sleep? T: In Feng Shui, the master bedroom

is for, well, adults only. In fact, it

Feng Shui to our kids’ rooms for better health and overall harmony in our homes.

is a no-no to even have pictures of your children in the bedroom. The bedroom is only for those who rule the roost. But as attachment parenting has become more popular, some would disagree with this 4,000-year old science. Decide what is best for your family. And consider whether you are co-sleeping for the benefit of your child or you. Is your child being used as a buffer or distraction from your intimate relationship? Also consider whether you are giving your child too much power by being on equal ground, so to speak. BC: What colors are recommended for children’s nurseries and rooms? T: The number one rule with a nursery

is to stick with soft pastels and avoid primary colors. Babies are extremely sensitive to their surroundings and it just so happens that colors emit a lot

“an antique crib from the Civil War era carries with it the energy of its past. Consider the energy contained in the family pieces and whether that it is positive or negative energy that you want carried forward for your child.”

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of energy. The bolder the color, the more energy it HO emits into a room. The softer the color, the calmer it will be on a child’s energy. Since the primary function for a nursery is sleep, use colors that promote sleep. Pastels, such as soft yellow, blues, and greens, and monotones are calming to the nervous system. Save the bright colors for the playpen or areas where play is encouraged. Keep in mind that even though a baby’s world is smaller than an adult’s world, boundaries should still be acknowledged with regards to areas that promote sleep versus areas related to play.

E US

BC: How can parents optimally use Feng Shui to create a peaceful and harmonious environment at home? T: Add natural elements. We naturally

love the outdoors, so try bringing more of the outdoors in. Decorate with natural elements as much as possible. Use plants to liven up a dark corner, hide electrical wires, or even absorb your own stress. Stone, wood, and water are elements that mix great. For example, use a chunk of amethyst as

H O M E O R G A N I Z AT I O N a bookend or bring in natural texture with a reclaimed wood coffee table. To entice all the senses, use a water fountain indoors or out to hear the calming sound of water. Also, when you come home, don’t automatically dive into more technology. Consider turning on music instead of the TV. Notice how you feel when the TV is on versus when it is off. Minimize the electronic equipment you have in areas of the home where you want to create a more peaceful environment, for example, in the bedroom. BC: How does your house’s Feng Shui change as your child grows from a baby to a toddler? Are there specific Feng Shui guidelines for families with toddlers? T: The rooms in our home set bounda-

ries, literally and figuratively, that are a mirror for the relationships within the house. As children get older they crave boundaries because it gives them a sense of safety. They also have a natural developmental desire to have their own space and a sense of their own identity and independence. Make it clear what room is their room.

Give them a sense of ownership of that space, as opposed to the whole house. As they get older, they can then express themselves through their room as they form their identity with their toys, art, hobbies, and décor selections. BC: Is there a way to Feng Shui monsters from under the bed? Or at least foster good dreams? T: Keep the room decluttered, espe-

cially under the bed. If your child has a good sense or inventory of items in the room, he or she will have a sense of control or power over the room. Have your child be part of putting items away in their proper spaces to foster ownership and control. Keep a nightlight on. Have a safe item near or on the bed, such as a teddy bear, that your child relates to and feels safe with when he or she gets scared. BC: When moving into a new house, which bedroom would be best to use as a nursery? What direction should it face, etc.? T: In Western versions of Feng Shui,

the compass directions are not predominately used. Instead, the energy as it enters the home takes precedence. Rooms towards the back of the home will have a more peaceful, calmer energy than those at the front of the home. The bedroom or nursery is the one room that you want a quieter, more yin energy to promote sleeping, which is usually found towards the back of the home away from the street. Rooms towards the front of the home tend to be better for a home office or rooms for entertaining. The room should feel protected from hightraffic areas, inside and outside, and yet not too far away from the parents’ room. Having some natural light coming through a window is advisable to adjust to natural biorhythms. bc

“The number one rule with a nursery is to stick with soft pastels and avoid primary colors. Babies are extremely sensitive to their surroundings...The bolder the color, the more energy it emits into a room. The softer the color, the calmer it will be on a child’s energy.”

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bc report HYGIENE

how clean is too clean? We all know and agree that a clean environment is beneficial to our health. But where to we draw the line between being just the right kind of clean to over-sanitation?

he hygiene hypothesis is a medical theory that posits that lack of exposure to dirt, germs, and other microorganisms makes you more susceptible to allergies and other diseases. Just as a vaccination makes you immune from future diseases by introducing you to weakened strains of the disease, being exposed to pathogens can also strengthen your immune

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system. But for mothers, exposing our children to dirt and grime goes against our instinct of protecting young ones from harm, especially with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heightened levels of air and environmental pollution in and outside our very own homes. So how clean is too clean even for kids? bcmag.ph

S anitation I n f ormation

“While we want to keep our homes and environment clean for our family, we mustn’t forget though, to let our kids be kids and play outdoors, discover, learn, and have fun— and worry about cleaning up afterwards.” how much is too clean? Too much hand-washing.

Everywhere we go, we now encounter dispensers of sanitizers, reminders for us to wash our hands, and mini alcohol gel bottles hanging from everyone’s bags. While the risk of infection diseases is high, studies have shown that the cleanest kids have the highest risk of eczema and asthma. Moreover, a study done at University Hospital’s Case Medical Center in Cleveland showed that among 60 health care workers who washed their hands 10 times a day, 63% of them developed hand dermatitis, a condition in which one’s hands develops dry and irritated skin, itchy bumps, blisters, scaling, cracking, and swelling skin. To avoid this, one must avoid irritants such as soaps with irritating ingredients, detergents, solvents, paints, oils, acids, and glues. Use mild soap for yourself and your family and apply moisturizing cream to your hands. Use gloves when handling raw food, acidic fruits and vegetables, and while doing manual

labor such as cleaning the house or gardening. Exclusively indoor culture.

The internet, gadgets, and hovering parents mean that fewer kids play outside than they did 10 years ago. Outdoor kids aged three and below consume an average of 500 mg of soil a day, and despite its myriad bacteria, regular dirt is harmless and can even benefit kids’ immune systems. In addition, nature deficit disorder (a term coined by author Richard Louv), has negative health effects, such as a higher risk of obesity, cancer, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Kids who stay indoors too often and do not get a taste of nature and sunlight are prone to Vitamin D deficiency and breathing problems, due to lack of fresh air. Hypersterile environments.

Aside from obsessively washing hands

and staying indoors most of the time, children may not be as exposed to allergens when their environment is hospital-like and sprayed with antiseptic every hour. Skin and food allergies have risen steadily in the last 14 years in developed countries, where kids’ environments are generally cleaner. LiveScience reports that according to pediatric allergist Marc McMorris of the University of Michigan Health System, “We’ve developed a cleanlier lifestyle, and our bodies no longer need to fight germs as much as they did in the past. As a result, the immune system has shifted away from fighting infection to developing more allergic tendencies.” He further explains that because of our cleaner environment now, our natural immune system isn’t as proactive as it once was, because we’ve already taken extra precaution in keeping ourselves and our kids germ-free.

hen it comes to drinking water for our families and especially for our babies’ formula milk (if you’ve weaned your child), choose a brand that is approved by certifying bodies such as the National Sanitation Foundation, thereby meeting standards of safety and cleanliness that mothers would approve of. Make sure that your water bottles, containers, glasses, and refrigerators are also frequently cleaned to keep germs away from water and food. While we want to keep our homes and environment clean for our family, we mustn’t forget though, to let our kids be kids and play outdoors, discover, learn, and have fun—and worry about cleaning up afterwards. bc

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lady of the house Because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a lot of work to do when encouraging mothers to breastfeed, we get up close and personal with half of the admirable and inspiring tandem of Medela Moms to know more about their cause, business, and how they have been helping moms feed their children, educating one family at time. Maricel Cua talks about her friendship with business partner Beng Feliciano, how they founded the Medela House community together, and advice for moms who are still in the dark or apprehensive about breastfeeding issues.

P H OTO G R A P H S B Y mar k cabalang MAKEUP BY Yciar C astillo of M A C C osmetics H A I R B Y J ac k e y S hin of T on y and J ac k e y S alon

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Lia (Daughter): Olive green Spring dress by H&M, hm.com . Black studded flats by MICHAEL KORS, michaelkors.com bcmag.ph

mari c e l c u a BC: What’s the story behind Medela Moms Inc.? How did you start? Maricel Cua: Beng [Feliciano] and

I were best friends ever since our corporate days. I had the headstart in starting a family, and therefore, breastfeeding. When her time came to breastfeed and she was experiencing some challenges, I was there for her—just like another friend of mine, who also gave me much needed “veteran” mommy support. We both believed in the benefits of breastfeeding for all members of the family, and thus became staunch advocates. We believed also in the invaluable support of a mom-to-mom support system. We felt so strongly about our advocacy, but at the same time didn’t know how to go about reaching out to other moms. Then the opportunity to sell Medela products came about, and we knew instantly that the brand would give us the necessary platform to reach out to other moms to give them the support we wanted during our journey. BC: What are the activities at the Medela House? M: Most mommies feel immediately

at home at the Medela House! It’s great, because all the activities that occur at the Medela House have created such a comfortable community around us, that we feel like it’s a reunion each time there’s a class, or when a mom brings over a friend or returns for new additions to the family. Apart from trying out each and every breastfeeding product available, you can also get lactation counseling, pick up a product for the family, the mom, or the baby, attend classes and workshops with likeminded parents, donate milk, get your breastshields fitted, and/or just simply chat with the Medela Mom present about anything and everything under the sun. Between Beng and I, a wide range of life experiences are covered— from breastfeeding and raising twins to raising singletons—boy or girl—to homeschooling, attachment parenting, healthy eating, self-weaning, mompreneurship, natural parenting, bcmag.ph

co-sleeping, Filipino-Chinese relations, and so on. That’s why we have to give at least 30 minutes to each mom who drops by to cover breastfeeding concerns and more. Most of the time, 30 minutes is not even enough. A lot of friendships are born there—you will commonly read over social media or hear that couples bump into schoolmates or friends they’ve lost contact with at the Medela House during their visits. There is even a friendship borne out of one of the babywearing classes, when they commuted home together, that resulted in a breastfeeding support organization all the way to Bacolod! The same can be said of the breastfeeding support in Cebu. People connect at classes and events held there. It’s heartwarming! BC: How do you divide the workload between you and Beng? M: We take weekly shifts so that each

week there’s a point person and the other one can attend to the needs of their family and other advocacies or

projects. BC: What are your most memorable experiences as part of Medela Moms? M: Each milk drive is memorable for

us. During a time when all other organizations, hospitals, or units were not yet organized to handle breastmilk donations, we already were at the forefront of appealing for and collecting enough breastmilk for medical missions during Typhoon Ondoy, all the way back in 2009! It all started with a doctor’s appeal for cups to feed with. Further inquiries revealed that breastmilk donations were also needed for an upcoming medical mission. A few strategic texts after—we didn’t have a Facebook page at that time—we were in possession of donated cups and breastmilk. One thing led to another and we sort of just became the “go to” for breastmilk donations. Over 1,000 liters of breastmilk donations have passed through our doors either for calamity relief, Operation Foster Milk of the PGH Milk Bank, or for { february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

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individual mommies who have appealed to us for mo help. Some memorable cases include a premature baby whose mommy had breast cancer. Sadly, the mommy did not make it, but her baby grew healthy and well on donor milk and was discharged from the hospital to at least see her mommy before she passed away. Currently, we are helping a mom who prematurely gave birth

and as a result, her baby had complications and as a result has facial paralysis. The baby’s eyes don’t move and the baby can’t even cry, let alone suckle. It is also heartwarming when those we have facilitated milk donations for end up paying it back when their milk supply starts overflowing. We have recipient mommies who are now donor mommies! And, of course, it is just touching when donor mommies give Lia: Purple jumpsuit by H&M, hm.com . Green mocassins by FLORSHEIM KIDS USA On Background: Freestyle Breastpump by MEDELA

their stash generously when appealed to. We do all of this responsibly with social screening and counseling, to ensure that recipient mommies eventually feed their babies with their own milk. It’s also always memorable to have been part of a challenging journey. We have a lot of moms who arrive at the Medela House depressed, upset, and ready to give up and it’s fantastic to be able to make a difference in these moms and babies’ lives. Beng and I keep a record of notes from moms who have shared with us the many ways we have touched their lives, which we always read through when we have had an especially unreasonable encounter with some people. These notes always uplift our spirits and encourage us to continue doing what we do. (Smiles) We have had moms who were unsuccessful with their previous children and were successful with their last baby or youngest one, and several months down the road they will send us a note thanking us for holding their hand through everything and keeping their vision straight on the goal. Or, we would have moms who start out doubting their milk supply with perceived or real milk insufficiency who would thank us several months down the road as they pay it forward and donate their now overflowing milk! There are just moms who are thankful for the extra mile we go to for them as we meet them during typhoons or take a really late night call or just give them a call to check on how they are doing. Each note of appreciation has a special place in our heart. BC: How do you deal with moms whose babies have difficulty latching? M: First, we try to see if the problem is

basic. Sometimes, baby’s lips are just tucked inwards or mommy is holding baby incorrectly and the like. If that’s the case, then Beng and I just point these things out and teach them or show them how to correctly do it. If the case is a bit more complicated or medical in nature, then we refer to our in-house lactation counselor who is

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mari c e l c u a

We have a lot of moms who arrive at the Medela House depressed, upset, and ready to give up and it’s fantastic to be able to make a difference in these moms and babies’ lives. certified by the American Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice or to an IBCLC or lactation specialist. BC: What do you recommend to moms who do not produce sufficient amounts of milk for their babies? M: It really depends on why they are

not producing sufficient amounts of milk. Sometimes, the mommy just lacks the much needed information on the mechanics of breastfeeding—what makes the milk flow, the anatomy of milk production, etc. The most basic advice is really to just latch and latch and latch, and to manage a mommy’s expectations about the whole breastfeeding experience. Sometimes, you really just need to sit down, relax, and feed the baby and not expect that you can do the usual multi-tasking that you were used to prior to baby’s arrival. Again, if the mommy needs further and more intensive counseling, then we refer them to our in house lactation counselor, an IBCLC, or a lactation specialist. BC: Up to what age is breastfeeding recommended for parents and babies? M: Up to 2 years and beyond! BC: Are there any negative effects of breastfeeding over two years old? M: None…of course I say this with

the assumption that the child is also already eating solids. BC: What are the first aid cures for mastitis, thrush, and painful milk letdown? M: For medical cases such as the

ones you mentioned, it is best to consult a lactation consultant or specialist for

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Lia: Black striped dress with green flower by COTTON ON KIDS . Black studded flats by MICHAEL KORS, michaelkors.com

help—that is as first aid as you can get. BC: Are breastfeeding moms allowed to take ingestible contraceptives, AKA birth control pills? Any other birth control alternatives? (Ed’s Note: This is setting aside religious beliefs) M: I don’t think I’m an authority

on this topic. All I know is that one should be careful when using the Lactation Amenorrhea Method of birth control because there are three criteria to meet before this method will work. A lot of women think that just because they are not yet menstruating, that automatically, breast-

feeding becomes an effective birth control. This is a huge misinformation, and I encourage couples to do tons of research before choosing the right birth control method for them. I, personally, am a believer in everything natural so I’m not a big fan of using contraceptives. BC: What should we expect from Medela Moms this year? M: More relevant and non-judgmen-

tal support in different forms for breastfeeding moms and families and continuous research and innovation when it comes to different ways in solving a breastfeeding challenge! bc

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Wide Spaced Dresser Size Comb with Rotating Teeth by THE ORIGINAL HAIR DOCTOR, Landmark Department Store . Bumpits Hair Volumizing Inserts by BIG HAPPIE HAIR . Infusion Therapy Straight Day Keratin Enhanced Styling Spray by KERATIN COMPLEX, Jing Monis Salon . Roman Oil Serum seals in moisture and adds shine by UMBERTO BEVERLY HILLS, umbertobh.com . BC Bonacure Hairtherapy Color Freeze ThermoProtect Cream by SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL, Jing Monis Salon . Smoothing Therapy Keratin Care Shampoo by KERATIN COMPLEX, Jing Monis Salon . Brush with rotating teeth by THE HAIR DOCTOR, Landmark Department Store

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S K I N, H A I R , A N D B O DY

FACE TIME. With our hectic schedules as parents, we often cut back on hours of sleep, but did you know that sleep deprivation actually shows on our faces? Beauty sleep is indeed a true thing, and a 2013 study by the Journal Sleep has shown that the faces of persons who lack sleep depicted darker eyebags (sleep deprivation causes blood vessels to dilate), paler skin, and more droopy mouth corners.

Relaxation Mask by THE ORIGINAL BED BUDDY, carex.com . Anti-fatigue Cooling Eye Gel for men, P1,800, Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, P1,100, both by CLINIQUE . Lash Transform Lash Amplifying Serum by KERATIN COMPLEX, Jing Monis Salon . Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + by CLINIQUE, P1,900 . Dermal Repair Cream by SENTE, sentelabs.com bcmag.ph

{ february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

bc report MO

mom-onthe-go This mother of two opens up about her beginnings as a commercial model and how transitioning into motherhood helped her become a “Domestic Wannabe in Heels.” Blogger Jackie Go shares her insights on enjoying family life, raising her children, running a blog, and still looking chic after a day’s work (even without a nanny)

P H O T O G R A P H S B Y mar k cabalang M A K E U P B Y Yciar C astillo of M A C C osmetics H A I R B Y Jac k e y S hin of T on y and Jac k e y S alon

Tell us more about your beginnings as a commercial model. How did you get into that? What commercials were the most memorable to work on?

It was actually my sister who was the commercial model. Back then, I was just tagging along with her during her shoots. Eventually, when she had shoots that needed extra bodies to fill a background or a scene, I gladly took the part. The most memorable commercial I did was the McDonald’s TVC where they had to cut my hair, so I could have full on bangs. It was the famous line, “Is that bangs? Pa-burger ka naman! Burger! Burger!” where people started

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Juro: Light blue plaid shirt by KNUCKLEHEADS . Green pants by RALPH LAUREN . Midnight blue shoes by NIKE, model’s own Gabbie: Gold Cody Dress by Bleu Comme Gris, P4,045.70, chichimary.com . Bronzed shoes with flower applique by PEDIPED bcmag.ph

j a c kie go to recognize me. Apart from this, I also did a Buscopan TV commercial where I had to walk on apple boxes inside a moving LRT while wearing heels. At the same time, I had my stomach hit by different kinds of objects, such as a Tsquare, newspaper, and a bag. They had to capture my look of pain and discomfort. That was easy, because I really did feel uncomfortable! That TVC also had print materials, and there’s a funny story about it. I was still back in college then, and I was commuting via MRT. One time, I rode an MRT and the train also had posters of me inside. The other passengers kept on looking at me and the posters—one even asked me to confirm if it was really me. (Smiles) That’s cute. Fast-forward to now: How did you get into blogging?

A few months after I gave birth to my daughter, Gabbie—it was then that I couldn’t do anything else apart from taking care of her. I was mainly a new mom searching for something to do, apart from shopping online. It was a perfect opportunity for me to document the products and services I was able to try as a first time mom. You mentioned you don’t employ a yaya?

It wasn’t really a choice at first, we weren’t really lucky with helpers. We assume because we live in a condo, they seldom interact with other helpers—unlike living in a village or subdivision. Eventually, we just got tired searching and looking for good, trusted helpers. We never left our kids alone with our yaya nor maid, so I guess that irked them because we were keen with their actions and how they treat our kids. After losing our last helper a few months ago, I realized that I’m less stressed when it comes to delegating, as I have to do things on my own. The freedom I feel that I don’t need to depend on anyone else to look after and take care of my kids makes it worthwhile.

How do you handle public meltdowns?

being a mom?

You see, a meltdown is a child’s way to get your attention, intentionally or not. It is their way to show that they’re affected and want something they know they can’t easily have (hungry, sleepy, wants to play, etc). So instead of shouting at your child or being frustrated, console him, look him in the eye, ask about how they feel in a mellow voice. Make him understand that you know what he’s feeling, and give him an option to do what he wants after he has calmed down.

If there’s one moment that is both best and frustrating, it is breastfeeding. Something so simple and natural can really take a toll on yourself as a woman and a mom. Despite all the pain and frustrations I’ve gone through, I can say giving my kids my breastmilk has been the best decision I’ve ever made. That bond I get while nursing is something that only my baby and I have. The best moments are when my kids call out, “Mommy!” whenever they need anything. I love that sense of urgency every time I hear them call my name. I feel so lucky being called a “mommy.”

Best and most frustrating moments of

(Above) Juro: White polo by KENNETH COLE . Blue jeans by SEAN JOHN, seanjohn.com . Black boots with blue thunderbolt by SEE KAI RUN, seekairun.com Gabbie: Black and white zigzag dress by ALICE+OLIVIA, aliceandolivia.com . Bronze tights by JEFFERIES SOCKS, jefferiessocks.com . Beige ballet flats with gold ribbon detail by YOSI SAMRA, model’s own (Below) Juro: Blue plaid shirt by CHILDISH CLOTHING, childishclothing.com . White pants by BABINELLE . Brown sandals by LITTLE GREEN TRIKE, littlegreentrike.com Gabbie: Gray puff sleeved dress by J BIRD . White shoes with flower details by PEDIPED bcmag.ph

{ february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

guide

r ur

bc lifestyle

FAMILY

the best

yle

t es

“If you’re the type to go on coupon-selling websites for travel deals, make sure the website you’re purchasing from is legitimate and fraud-free.”

hotel hunt: get the right room at the right price With the summer season right around the corner, families are already planning their escapades, whether in or out of the country. Before packing your bags, though, keep in mind these helpful travel tips W ords by A lisa A becassis

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you’re like me and RVs are not an option, then hotels are where you’ll be staying over the course of your trip. Choosing a hotel can be a scary process if you have no knowledge of the area and are working with a limited budget, but using my helpful tips can take out some of the guesswork in finding acceptable hotels. bcmag.ph

About Alisa abecassis

Alisa Abecassis is the proud mother of three children—Lilia, 17; Isaac, 15; and Joel, 14. After her marriage ended, she decided it was time to strengthen her family’s bonds and personal history by traveling and gaining a better appreciation all 50 United States. Abecassis is a blogger, and has a bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA. tips on choosing a hotel 1. Chain hotels are usually a safe bet (and you could get breakfast for free!).

What’s the budget for your trip? If you can stay in top-notch hotels with connecting rooms—fantastic. Although I was lucky enough to be able to afford that luxury, I purposely chose not to. I wanted my kids to experience “roughing it” a bit so that they would be more appreciative of the luxuries they had at home. Our go-to spots are moderate-level hotels such as Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and the like. Large chains tend to have a uniform standard of style and cleanliness. An additional perk is that most of these moderate-priced hotels include breakfast. Again, nothing fancy—cold cereals, some breads and pastries, coffee, and fruit. Sometimes you might get lucky and they’ll have a hot buffet. Everyone loves the makeyour-own waffle machine! It’s a great way to get something in everyone’s stomachs to start the day and you save on the expense of breakfast. Plus you can grab a muffin or piece of fruit for the road! 2. Do your homework: read ratings, reviews, and phone a friend. With any

level of hotel, research is key. I check out websites such as Hotel.com, Expedia, Orbitz, and TripAdvisor, typing in

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the city to find all the hotels where I’ll be stopping, so I can compare prices and look at pictures. TripAdvisor is a fantastic resource because you can see reviews and pictures from hotel guests. You’d be surprised at the discrepancy between a hotel’s photos and the photos by people who actually stayed there. Some places that look fabulous on the hotel website could actually turn out to be pretty gross in real life! Before you choose a hotel, look at the location. Do research on the various neighborhoods so that you know ahead of time that you’re sleeping in a safe place. Do you have friends who live in, or have visited, the area? Enlist them! When I was planning a trip to Detroit, I had no idea where to stay— given that almost every hotel had reviews of thefts and other nastiness—so I called an acquaintance who happened to live in a suburb of Detroit and asked his advice. He told me that Dearborn was a nice, safe place for my family. He was right—it was great! Sometimes friends can tell you what the Internet won’t. However, if I don’t have any contacts in the area, and there’s not much posted online, then my general rule of thumb is that if it’s near a popular activity and it’s a well-

known chain, then it can’t be that bad. 3. Make sure your hotel choices are also bed bug free. Another important

step in researching hotels is making sure the place you’ve chosen has not been infested with bedbugs. Before making a reservation at any hotel, always check the Bed Bug Registry at bedbugregistry.com. It is an invaluable resource. You can look up any hotel in any city and see if there have been reports of bed bugs. Also, in the event that you encounter bed bugs anywhere you go, please be a good citizen and help out your fellow travelers by reporting it on the site.

4. Let’s book it! Once you’ve done all your research, you’re ready to make the reservation. Some hotels and trav-

el sites offer discounts if you pay up front. This option can save you money, but keep in mind that if something comes up last minute, you will not be refunded (even if you have a sob story). However, if you make a reservation and secure it with a credit card, you can usually cancel up to 24 hours in advance without a charge. I highly discourage you from booking directly through the hotel website or 1-800 number. Compare prices on{ february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

fami ly e x c u rsions

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line and call the front desk at the actual hotel. On numerous occasions, there was a special promotion going on that wasn’t listed online, and I never would have known if I didn’t call ahead. Also, the clerk on site can tell you what kind of rooms they have and notate any special requests.

v tra

Also to note: it pays to be a AAA member. A membership card can get you valuable discounts on hotels, car rentals, activities, and even at some restaurants.

Once you’ve made your reservation, print out the confirmation and put it in your trip bible for safekeeping.

5. Print and file.

Another way to get discounts is to join loyalty programs. Enrolling in a loyalty program can be a great way to rack up points if you go narrow and deep with a particular hotel brand. You can get their credit card and earn points on all your purchases, in addition to your stays, which over time will result in some free stays. Definitely worth checking out. Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards are a couple just to name a few.

6. Be ready to think on the fly—sometimes even the best-laid plans can fall apart. Sometimes, even with the best

research, you can end up driving to a hotel that is way below your expectations and “just doesn’t feel right.” As a single mom, when this happens to me, I call the hotel to cancel. I would rath-

er face a cancellation fee than stay in a place where I feel unsafe. Of course, there are ways around the fees, too. Often times a clerk will cancel the reservation just like that. Other times I’ve had to get a little creative to avoid the one night charge. Sometimes it might involve a story about my car being stalled or a flight delay, but sometimes the truth works as well. No one argues with me when I say I am a single mom and I don’t feel safe—again, the story you give is up to you.

The Story

n our last night in Nashville, we booked a very inexpensive hotel near the airport. It looked fine from the outside, but when we drove around back toward our room there were a bunch of drunk guys hanging off the balcony who started whistling and making suggestive comments when I got out of the car. That was enough for me to go right to the hotel office and cancel immediately. The clerk totally understood and recommended a few other places for me to check out. When a hotel just isn’t what you expected, the best thing to do is drive around a bit and find where the newer hotels are grouped closed to a few restaurants. Your GPS can be very helpful with this. You may have to run in to a few to check prices and availability, but peace of mind is to-

b c PHILIPPINES { february-march 2014 }

tally worth it. Always trust your gut— be safe instead of sorry. If you’re the type to go on couponselling websites for travel deals, make sure the website you’re purchasing from is legitimate and fraud-free. Check reviews and affiliated companies—if they allow you to pay through credit card and PayPal, make sure that there are no third-party websites that phish your information. Again, doing your research will save you the hassle of getting your information stolen or used maliciously. Call the customer help line if any questions arise, and make sure to call the hotel or resort for which coupon you are purchasing to double check the fine print. Using my helpful tips with take a lot of the guesswork out of finding safe

and comfortable places to stay on your trip. It’s not foolproof, but as long as you’ve done your research, and can redirect on the fly if need be, you will be fine when it comes to booking your stays. Safe travels! bc

“You’d be surprised at the discrepancy between a hotel’s photos and the photos by people who actually stayed there. Some places that look fabulous on the hotel website could actually turn out to be pretty gross in real life!” bcmag.ph

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bc lifestyle

are you passing down the wrong family traditions?

Grandma’s recipes may also carry a legacy of ills, expert shares tips for change W ords by D E E L ouis - S cott additional words by A i y a M ai R odjel

igh blood pressure ran in Dee Louis-Scott’s family, along with a talent for preparing delicious, beautiful meals that kept everyone at the table for hours.

b c PHILIPPINES { february-march 2014 }

“I hear many families with a history of medical problems who say they can’t do anything about it because it’s ‘genetics,’” says Louis-Scott, author of Believe in

the Magic, an inspirational biography of her late mother, Mattie Fisher. “But for families like ours, it wasn’t just ‘genetics.’ It was also handing down treasured family recipes for great-tasting foods loaded with un-

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f ood ta l k

“developing a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease can be as financially devastating as it is physically.” healthy fats and salt.” After a frightening emergency room visit during which mother and daughter learned Fisher’s blood pressure was an alarming 240/180, Louis-Scott’s mom made changes. For starters, she cut most of the sodium out of her diet. “The first time she made collard greens without ham hocks or salt pork, they tasted awful,” Louis-Scott says. “But

she kept experimenting and after a few tries, she had a healthy version that tasted good!” A year after starting to monitor her sodium, Fisher’s weight had dropped from 250 pounds to less than 200. Louis-Scott shares this story because she sees that many families are prone to preventable, diet-related chronic health issues.

About DEE Louis-Scott

Dee Louis-Scott is retired after working 30 years as a federal employee. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. Scott has co-chaired the Black Family Technology Awareness Association’s Youth STEM Fair for nine years; its mission is to encourage studies in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum in urban communities. Twenty years since the death of her heroic mother, Mattie Fisher, Louis-Scott honors her life, which was experienced in a time in American history when it was a double-curse to be a black woman.

new family traditions: Explore complementary and alternative medicine traditions, which often include a dietary component.

“I’m a big believer in the mind-bodyspirit connection,” Louis-Scott says. “If you find an integrated approach that works for you and your family, you’ll have a much easier time making lifestyle changes.” She practices many of the elements of Ayurveda, an ancient natural healing system that originated in India. It starts with a questionnaire to determine your body type, or dosha – Vata (airy); Pitta (fiery); Kapha (earthy). Once you know your body type, you learn which foods, exercises and lifestyle elements will best support your health.

Cut back on sodium without cutting

Establish fun new weeknight traditions,

back on flavor.

like Meatless Taco Tuesdays.

You’ll be surprised by how much you don’t miss mega-amounts of sodium in your food. People generally don’t detect a 25 percent reduction in sodium, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Some tricks for reducing sodium intake: When buying frozen or prepared foods, check the nutrition label. If one serving has more than 1 milligram of salt for each calorie, put it back on the shelf, Louis-Scott says. Skip the fat-free salad dressings, which usually have more sodium to make up for the reduction in fat. (And a little bit of fat won’t make you fat!) Avoid or limit popular high-sodium foods such as pizza with meat toppings, catsup, hot dogs and white bread.

Like adults, children are more apt to accept and even embrace change if they’re invited to participate—and if it’s fun. Instead of a rushed fast-food meal on a busy school night, make it Meatless Taco Tuesday. Come up with some recipes for vegetarian tacos or fish tacos (hint: you can get lots of great ideas online) to prepare together. Or, older kids can take turns being the Tuesday taco chef. Who can come up with the tastiest original combination? “Another idea is to explore new vegetables at the produce stand,” Louis-Scott says. “When was the last time you had a turnip? Have the kids help you pick one new vegetable to try each week. You just might discover flavors you never expected to love!”

Today, Louis-Scott points out, developing a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease can be as financially devastating as it is physically.“At some point, one generation needs to say, ‘It’s time to stop passing down these traditions and create some new ones,’” she says. bc

bcmag.ph

{ february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

what to expect when you're infanticipating Pregnant moms, here are some gift ideas for your registry or baby shower. Or, just plunk down a copy of this issue on your bedside, place a bookmark strategically, and send out subtle hints to your hubby

P H OTO G R A P H S B Y ahlee del rosario shot on location at bab y compan y, sm aura A ll items available at B A B Y C O M P A N Y stores u nless indicated

Feeding and Infant Support Pillow by BOPPY, P3,699.75 . Shortbread Fashion Maternity Bra by CAKE LINGERIE, cakelingerie.com

february-march 2014 philippines

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Nursing cover by MOMBABYFABRIC, facebook.com/ilovemombabyfabric . Manual breast pump by PHILIPS AVENT . Natural Tooth & Gum Wipes with Xylitol in strawberry flavor (12 packets) by SANSFLOU, P139 . Washable nursing pads (3 pairs) by MOM & BABY, P149.75 . Nursing Care Lanolin-free Nipple Butter soothes and relieves soreness by THE FIRST YEARS, P799.75 . Burp pads (pack of 2) by KUSHIES BEBE, kushies.com . Squirt Silicone baby food dispensing spoon by BOON, P549 . Nursing Care Disposable Breast Wipes Cleanse and Refresh with aloe vera by THE FIRST YEARS, P99.75 . Moisturising Nipple Cream by AVENT bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

what to expect when you're infanticipating

Black and white striped body-con dress by JUICY COUTURE . Rocky road bra by CAKE LINGERIE, cakelingerie. com . Organic by Rosie Pope by BELLY BANDIT, bellybandit.com . Sherman Sweater Wrap by EVERLY GREY, everlygrey.com . Black riding leggings by SPANX, spanx.com

february-march 2014 philippines

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Naked 2-position collapsible baby bath tub by BOON, P3,999.75 . Terry hooded towel and face cloth with giraffe applique by MOTHER’S CHOICE, P499.75 . Baby Smoothy Cream by NIVEA, P169.75 . Diaper rash cream by BABY SEBA MED, P500 . Natural Mineral Water Baby Face & Body Spray by EVIAN, P389.75 . Baby Top-to-Toe Wash by JOHNSON’S, P199.75 . Pure and absorbent paper stem spiral tips ear buds (440 tips) by BABY CLEAN, P99.75 . Washable cloth diapers (2 pieces) by BAMBOO DAPPY, P999.75 . Bathing supporter by BABY COMPANY, P219.75

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february-march 2014 philippines

what to expect when you're infanticipating

february-march 2014 philippines

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february-march 2014 philippines

Mom & Baby Balm with fair trade shea butter by L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE, P1,250 . Baby lotion (from birth up), P389, Protective Diaper Cream (from birth up), P289 both by CYCLES SENSITIVE . Intensive baby moisturizer by EXEDERM, exederm.com . Natural Insect Repellent (from birth up) by CYCLES SENSITIVE, P294 . Bubbly Joy Baby Shampoo by DRYPERS, P199 . Scratch Off! Natural Soothing Cool get, P159, Tiny Fangs Kiddie Tooth Gel with non-foaming formula Stage 1 in Strawberry Banana, P95, both by TINY BUDS . Mom & Baby Face & Body Cream by L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE, P1,250 . Gray and white striped fireman romper by KISSY KISSY, kissykissyonline.com . Kensington Opulent by URATEX PREMIUM MATTRESS

what to expect when you're infanticipating

Developmental wrist rattles, P199.75, Rattle toy, P299.75, both by PLAYSMART . Designer Diaper Change Kit by MUNCHKIN, P1,549.75 . Peristaltic Plus BPA-free Nursing Bottle 160ml by PIGEON, P799.75 . Anti-mosquito gel by CHICCO, P449.75 . Baby wipes with vitamin E (50 wipes) by BABY COMPANY, P59.75 . Dry diapers with magic tape in medium (18 pieces) by EQ, P145.75 . Original infant insert by ERGOBABY, P1,199.75 . Lily leaf pink diaper bag by DIAPEES & WIPEES, diapeesandwipees.com . Infant shoes (6 to 9 months) by TIP TOE, P249.75 . Baby carrier in brown by PICOLO, P1,299.75

february-march 2014 philippines

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White conversion bed crib, P11,999.75, Sheep fun pillow, P269.75, both by BABY COMPANY . Baby neck pillow in Giraffe by BLOOM, P269.75 . Slumber Buddies Frankie the Frog by SUMMER INFANT, P1,799.75 . Blue blanket with automobile design by BLOOM . Organic Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Head-to-Toe Ointment with Frankincense and Myrrh by SHEA MOISTURE . Stelatopia Emollient Cream by MUSTELA, P1,190 for 200 ml . Baby Bedtime Soap 100g, P35.75, Baby Bedtime Oil, P82 both by JOHNSONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S . Stroller pad with pillow in cars design by CASTLE, P699.75 . Latex baby pillow by BLOOM, P399.75 bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

what to expect when you're infanticipating

Premium quality Nursing Canopy by KUSHIES BEBE, kushies.com . 2-in-1 Breastcare Thermopad, P1,199.75, Comfort and Protection Ultra comfortable Breast Shells, P1,579.75 by PHILIPS AVENT . 7-piece baby food processor set by PIYOPIYO, piyopiyousa.com . Natural single electric breast pump by PHILIPS AVENT, P15,999.75 . 100% melamine saucer by ANNE TAINTOR, annetaintor.com

february-march 2014 philippines

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toddlin’ we’re

With their new 2014 fashion shoe styles, Squeakers is rebranding as Little Green Trike Shoe Company to make room for new lines for older kids called Sproutin’ Up as well as new fashion kids shoe lines.

School Squeaks are kids’ shoes in college-themed colors that combine team color combinations with matching bows. “Stompers is our new line of boots we developed a few years ago,” said Little Green Trike CEO Andi Jensen. “We designed a few styles and our customers wanted to see more.”

Today, LGT squeaking toddler shoes are available in hundreds of stores throughout the United States as well as overseas.

LGT’s new styles for 2014 also include a dozen new girls’ sandals in new bright colors, and new sandals for boys, in addition to their classic kids‘ shoe styles. “We like what the Little Green Trike brand represents,” says Ms. Jensen. “Our kids and parents’ fondest memories.” LITTLE GREEN TRIKE SHOE COMPANY littlegreentrike.com

Toddlers’ shoes with squeaking heels can help kids learn to walk properly heel-to-toe.

what to expect when you're infanticipating

Allure Tote in black by TWELVE LITTLE, twelvelittle.com . Wistful Weekender in Classically Crete bag by PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM, petunia.com . Elizabeth quilted bag in Stone by STORKSAK, storksak. com . Unisex Courage Satchel Grey by TWELVE LITTLE, twelvelittle.com . Tender Bowler bag in faux croco by LASSIG, lassig.us

february-march 2014 philippines

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shopping bag

DRYPERS WEEWEEDRY DIapers Get ready for the warmer months with your baby by choosing a diaper with a 100% breathable cloth-like cover, which keeps your child’s skin cool and fresh. Drypers Wee Wee Dry also features 4 botanical extracts to keep your baby’s skin moisturized throughout summer—aloe vera, chamomile, vitamin E, and olive extracts. facebook.com/DrypersWeeWeeDry; drypers.com.ph; Leading drugstores and supermarkets

PHILIPS AVENT STRAW CUP If you’re looking for an ideal drinking solution for your growing toddler, especially during days out, Philips Avent offers the Straw Cup, a leak-proof, easy to use, 0% BPA product that your child can independently use. It also features a unique twist lid and fully disassemble-able body that is easy to clean. Keep your kids refreshed and hydrated throughout summer with this backpack musthave. 667-9000; Baby Company and Mothercare stores; facebook.com/PhilipsAventPH

APRICA EURO HARNESS CAR SEAT IN DELUXE GREY Gear up for summer road travel with the whole family with Aprica’s Euro Harness, which marries brand new thoughtful designs with impressive appearance. This car safety must-have for every family features a 5-point harness, 3-D breathable mesh material, headrest width adjustment mechanism, and soft lumber protection pad that keeps your child safe and comfy during long trips. 667-9000; Baby Company stores

FELIIX “Zuny”—a simple, genial, and creative design of leather-made home accessories made out of the designers’ creativity and imagination. Most Zuny products specialize in home decoration. Thus, instead of the massive manufacturing way of producing, we confer each of the Zuny products with its own characteristic through a pure and humanistic hand-made process. Left to right: Bookend Giraffe, Paperweight Polar Bear, Bookend Hippo. (As seen in our cover story) feliix.com; Alabang Town Center, UG Activity Center (beside Zapote entrance), Muntinlupa City; 966-0442

Beef Tastes Better.

Premium Quality Meats makati Supermarket alabang

Landmark Supermarket Makati . Trinoma

‘s Best Date Places 1

photographs by A hlee del rosario W ords by A i y a M ai R odjel

1 Champetre’s Homemade Goose Foie Gras Terrine with Toasted Brioche & Berry Compote 2 Champetre’s indoor table 3 The wine selection at Champetre 4 Lusso’s Lamb Shank Ossobuco 5 Lusso’s indoor table 6 Chandelier at Lusso 7 La Girolle’s interiors 8 La Girolle’s flower display 9 La Girolle’s Pan seared Norwegian salmon with market vegetables, sweet potato puree and red caviar 10 Grace Park’s interiors 11 Wall pictures at Grace Park 12 Grace Park’s River Prawns in Anchovy Butter bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

‘s

say grace

Best Date Places

f you’re a fan of the ever blossoming organic food movement, then this gastro hub is definitely a place where you can sink your teeth into guilt-free, farm-fresh goodness. The polar opposite of its sister restaurant, Lusso, Grace Park offers customers a farm-to-table dining experience. Named after the paternal home of its owner, Margarita Fores, it is a celebration of all the organic purveyors the Fores group has worked with throughout the years. Margarita Fores opens up about its beginnings, “I started with my advocacy for using organic produce maybe about 8 years ago, soon after I had a bout with thyroid cancer, so I guess my awareness level for making sure that whatever food I serve and ate was actually grown in a more clean way, grown in a way that protects the environment.” Grace Park evokes a shabby chic vibe with its rustic design and mismatched cutlery that it’s like you’re getting transported to a cozy little cottage away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Margarita explains of the design and concept, “I wanted the interior decorations to be something quite fluid, something that range around a lot so we have a lot of segunda mano finds on the walls. If you notice those petal flowers, I found those in Kamuning. Some of the farm tools that are hanging there, I got them from second hand stores in Makati Cinema Square. Even the plates and the flatware, they’re all unmatched. A lot of the silver that I used there, the cutlery, those were the things that I started catering with 25 years ago and they were all like broken sets, so I felt that it was also a good time to use it again. The concept was really meant to not have anything match.” You’re in for a surprise every time you dine at Grace Park as it offers a very dynamic menu. All its dishes are made from fresh and organic produce, and they mix the menu up every week depending on the ingredients available. “I felt that the word ‘grace’ has taken on a new meaning for me. I feel like I’ve come to learn a lot about transferring feelings and working with energies,” Margarita shared. Seafood fanatics will surely delight in the rich flavors of the river prawns in anchovy butter. The crowd favorite, Muscovado beef belly, which is brought in from Bacolod, will surely tickle the meat lover’s fancy. They also offer the scrumptious OMG burger. which has double beef patties, a thick slab of bacon, and a lot of cheese. To top the meal off, they offer the Eton Mess, which is a combination of meringue, sweet whipped cream, raspberries and blueberries. Their servings are good for sharing, so a trip to Grace Park is really a bang for your buck. Grace Park is located at Ground Level, One Rockwell, Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center Makati; 843-7275; Mondays to Sundays, 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Appetizers range from P250 to P440 while main dishes start at P510. Sandwiches and pastas start at P350, while desserts range from P190 to P260.

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c’est magnifique

ver imagined how it’s like to live in the countryside of France? Recreate a scene of a vintage European movie on your date night with the hubby at Champetre, which offers authentic French cuisine at its finest and a relaxed European country ambience that’s sure to turn up the romance. Formerly known as ‘Je suis Gourmand,’ Champetre (pronounced as Sham-pet) is a charming, semi-casual restaurant owned, run, and managed by Chef Marc Aubry. Opened last May 2011, its interiors exude an inviting and cheery vibe that makes dining in Champetre a very wonderful experience. “Champetre (is) supposed to mean bcmag.ph

pastoral,” Chef Marc explained, saying that the restaurant is his “do over of the countryside, simple living. It’s meant to be a French restaurant, but more on a regional type of cooking. We’re not quite a bistro but we are not a fine dining place either. It is in between.” Champetre offers a little bit of everything, but customers frequent the restaurant because of its scrumptious, homemade Foie Gras and mouth watering Pork Cassoulet. The chef’s favorite offering, the butter seared Angus Onglet steak, is also a delectable treat for the senses. Customers rave about this dish all the time. Chef Marc is always in the restaurant and he prepares most of the dishes himself. For those date nights that just

won’t allow for your kids to stay under someone else’s care, take them with you to Champetre, as the restaurant also offers pasta dishes for kids. Champetre is perfect for family gatherings, friendly get-togethers and of course, dates. To avoid the weekend or Valentine holiday rush, however, make sure to call and book a table in advance. Champetre is located at Ground Level, Net One Center Building, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; 8158801-02; Mondays to Saturdays, 10:30 am to 10:00 pm. Appetizers start at P200 while main courses start at P440. Desserts start at P120. february-march 2014 philippines

‘s

Best Date Places

a hint of luxe

midst the urban jungle of Makati lies a quaint gastronomical retreat with an elegant old world ambiance. Inspired by elegant cafes around the world and the era of the 1950’s, Lusso (which means ‘Luxe’ in Italian) offers its customers a blast from an opulent past with its posh interiors that makes one feel like you’re inside a champagne flute. Opened in 2009, the restaurant is part of the Fores group of restaurants (the same group that handles Cibo). Although the restaurant evokes a fancy vibe, it offers guests affordable luxury. “I’d like to think of it as an oasis from the whole buzz of Greenbelt. The feeling of it is that time stops when you’re there,” long-time acclaimed chef, culinary connoisseur, and restaurateur, Margarita Fores shared. Inspired by Margarita’s visits to the Peninsula in Hong Kong, Cafe de Flor and Cafe de Mago in Saint German in France, and Harry’s Bar in Venice, Lusso’s interiors offer a subtle elegant vibe that is nostalgic of the past. Speaking of the past, Margarita explains that the chandelier in Lusso is actually from the Manila Peninsula, which she obtained from furniture hobbyist David Kauffman, while the cabinet in the outdoor dining area is from Margarita’s grandmother’s house in Grace Park, Caloocan. The restaurant, which sits by the Greenbelt park is perfect for an afternoon tea bonding or a fancy dinner with the hubby. Patrons frequent the restaurant for their Foie Gras burger, which is a half pound burger with a half slab of foie gras in the center—which oozes out as it grills, making for a delectable treat like no other. Another favorite is the Shepherd’s Pie Braised Lamb, a dish inspired by an offering from British gastro pub but with a Lusso twist. To top off the meal, they offer the Pot-de-crem Chocolat which chocoholics will surely love. Margarita further explains that the restaurant is “a good place to celebrate. It’s also kind of a nice place for mothers [to] come and bring their young kids to eat, [if] they want to give you an experience of an elegant meal in an intimate setting. It almost reminds me of what I experienced with my mom, and that was really the feeling that I wanted to achieve. So when I see moms, daughters with their sons, it really hits hard with me, then I know that I achieved what I put the concept together for. It’s a special kind of dining memories for many families. It’s kind of that edge that Lusso has.”

Lusso is located at Greenbelt 5, Makati City. 756-LUXE (5893); Sundays to Saturdays, 11 AM to 11 PM. Appetizers start at P150, while entrees start at P350. Desserts start at P130.

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culinary je ne sais quoi

ombine an emphasis on authenticity, a balance of modern and classical French cooking, and a passion for pushing culinary boundaries, and you get La Girolle. A lovely, intimate restaurant located in Bonfacio Global City, La Girolle is a dream come true project of Chef Ian Padilla. The culinary haven opened its doors in October 2011 and ever since, it has won over the hearts of its customers, winning multiple awards and topping the best restaurant lists in Manila. “La Girolle was envisioned to be my interpretation of modern French fine dining,” explained Chef Ian. “After France, I realized that when I got back home, fine dining food was so outdated, based on the fine dining restaurants from the 90’s. So what we wanted to do in La Girolle was to modernize the cuisine, but still have our roots or the foundations in classical French cooking.” He explains further that a lot of their dishes are done sous vide. “Sous vide was developed in France in the 1970’s, and is basically cooking food in a plastic bag at a certain temperature for a certain amount of time.” From their best-selling beef short ribs to their vegetables and desserts, their delightful, mouth-watering dishes are cooked via this traditional method. The beauty in La Girolle is its dynamic menu (the restaurant doesn’t serve the same food twice, except for the crowd favorite short ribs) because every two months, Chef Ian and his team whips up a different carte du jour according to the freshest ingredients available. La Girolle also has a dynamic wine collection, offering clients over 60 labels—perfect for a night out with the hubby. What’s interesting about the restaurant is that although it serves French cuisine, they do not have a foreign chef or staff—they are proudly all Filipino. La Girolle is located at 2nd Floor, Bleu Sapphire Building, 30th Street corner 2nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; 4784119; Mondays to Fridays for lunch (11 AM to 3 PM) and dinner (6:30 PM), Saturdays for dinner (6:30 PM). Appetizers and desserts start at P250, while main courses start at P1,250. A glass of wine starts at P250 and a bottle starts at P1,220. Tasting menus cost P1,900 (3 courses) and P2,100 (4 courses).

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february-march 2014 philippines

rit

bc lifestyle delicious n in vi

wine cheat sheet It’s love month all over again, and we have pre-selected the best vino and bubbly for dinner with you and the hubby. Check out our selections for date night (and some wine coolers for you, if you’re expecting) S hot on L ocation at T he F arm R esto

REDS: ROSE goes well with rich, flavorful food such as cuisine from the Mediterranean, Indias, Morroco, and other spiced dishes. If you’re cooking the main dish, go for pork loin, chicken, and other poultry.

LIGHT reds are best with low key dishes such as cream soups, pasta, white pizza, cheese, bread, hors d’oeuvres, and the like. It’s often paired with turkey, chicken, duck, other poultry, or pork.

b c PHILIPPINES { february-march 2014 }

MEDIUM red is for mostly for roasted dishes composed of pork, lamb, or duck, or cured meats and sausages. Throw in roasted vegetables and you’re in for a treat.

BOLD red is the perfect pair for barbecue night, with roasted, smoked, or barbecued meats such as pork, beef, lamb, venison, sausages, and other cured meats.

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f r u its o f the earth Sumiller 09 by MANNY O WINES, P635 . Pinot noir wine country soda by VIGNETTE, P85, The Farm . Bignay Ben Borb’s Special by SAINT AMBROSE, P950, The Farm . Syrah 2011 by LAGARDE, P980, The Farm . Celebrus Blanquette de Limoux by MANNY O WINES, P1,170 . Sauvignon Blanc 2012 sweet wine by TERRA VEGA, P450, The Farm

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{ february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

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bc delicious n in vi

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET

With as much as 26 awards from 5 countries, Manny Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agapitos Wine from Alentejo, Portugal brings out the romance in every meal with its vibrant hue and colorful, fruity candy. Its lively aroma features fresh raspberries, cranberries, and cherries with a hint of roses, making a crisp burst on your palate.

Agapitos Rose 11 by MANNY O WINES, P635 . Sparkling wine by BLUE NUN, P950, The Farm . Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 by MONTES, P675, The Farm . Chardonnay 2010 by CLARO, P1,100, The Farm . Rose wine country soda by VIGNETTE, P85, The Farm

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f r u its o f the earth WHITES SPARKLING goes well with salty foods such as potato chips, French fries, caviar, anchovies, sushi, hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres, and salted popcorn. Fish, shellfish, chicken, and other poultry are also paired with this type of wine for a main dish.

DRY is often partnered with vegetable dishes such as salads and should be paired with flaky fish or chicken dishes.

SWEET white wine compliments spicy cuisine such as Indian, Thai, or Chinese. Oily fish and chicken go well with this type of wine.

RICH whites are best taken with

cream-based dishes such as soups, pasta, quiche, lasagna, and risotto. For meat, pair this with rich shellfish, chicken, and other poultry.

DESSERT: SWEET wine such as Muscat, Sherry, Late Harvest should be taken with

chocolate, ice cream, cakes, cookies, and the like. Reserve this type of wine for towards the end of your meal. bcmag.ph

{ february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

ainment f o

ou rF

bc reviews

AMILY

the best

t er

S H O T O N L O C A T I O N A T F U L LY B O O K E D , ALABANG TOWN CENTER

fabulous reads

+ Exciting edge-of-your-seat movies to watch with the brood…new tracks to jam to… self-help apps...

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU—GET THeSe ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE FOR GREAT IDEAS TO REVAMP YOURSELF THIS 2014

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RELAX AND UNWIND

Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit by Sean Hepburn Ferrer, P880

To the millions she dazzled, she is Gigi, Holly Golightly, and Eliza Doolittle. To him, she is “mummy.” A heartfelt tribute by Audrey Hepburn’s son, this is a stunning compilation of photos of the life and works of the icon that won over everyone’s hearts. This lovely read is a celebration of Hepburn’s grace, history and humanity. Other Books “How to Walk in High Heels” by Camilla Morton, P385

A lady’s guide to day to day living, style, and more, this funny and informative book filled with interesting facts and great quotes tackles various topics such as wine appreciation, understanding modern art, getting made up in a jiffy and other topics often not talked about. Hailed by Vogue.com as “the most fabulous instruction manual the world has ever seen,” this read will transform your style and revamp your social skills. “The Little Black Book of Style” by Nina Garcia, P635

In 2010, Project Runway’s Nina Garcia penned an ultimate guide to help women explore their own fashion voice and create their best self. Learn how to wear an outfit, pick occassion-appropriate wear, and tips on how to combine colors and textures to create your own signature look. This book is for women of all ages, so prop it open for insightful tips and great ideas.

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“That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between” by Victoria Beckham with Hadley Freeman, P799

This beautiful, easy-to-use bestselling hit by Posh Spice is packed with realistic and practical advice, as well as gorgeous illustrations and photos about looking and feeling the best you can be. It teaches you how to dress for special occasions, accessorize to jazz up your look and look chic anywhere, anytime. Find your own style and rock it like Mrs. Beckham herself. “Colour Me Beautiful MakeUp Manual” by Pat Henshaw and Audrey Hanna, P799

Whatever your age and whatever the occasion, you can look fabulous all the time with help of this invaluable beauty manual that guides you on what colors are best for you, how to apply every type of make up, how to look stunning in any occasion, and how to spruce up your look with accessories and hair styles.

“It’s So You: 35 Women Write About Personal Expression Through Fashion and Style” edited by Michelle Tea, P670

A celebration of frivolity and the playfulness of women’s fashion as well as the daring aesthetics of sex workers, out queers and fashionistas, this read penned by 35 authors explores the intersection between personal style and personal expression. In a world full of fashion trends and oppressive standards of beauty, this will help you stand out and be your own woman. “The Bombshell Manual of Style” by Laren Stover

Ever looked at another woman and wished you were as fabulous as her? (Hello, Gwen Stefani!) Well, there’s a glamorous diva in every woman, and this fun and ever-so-practical beauty and lifestyle guide helps you unleash your inner bombshell, with topics such as how to dress, where to shop, and how to make an entrance, down to what to eat. { february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

men

bc reviews ente

Mr. Peabody and Sherman (PG)

When the smartest dog in the world, Mr. Peabodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Ty Burrell) adopted boy Sherman (Max Charles) uses their WABAC time traveling machine without his permission, events in history spiral out of control. It is up to the duo to put things back on track before the space-time continuum becomes irreparably destroyed. The kiddos will surely adore this movie. Other Movies

Divergent (PG-13)

Robocop (PG-13)

The LEGO Movie (PG)

Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet, this flick is about Beatrice Prior, a teenage girl with a special mind, who finds her life threatened when an authoritarian leader seeks to exterminate her kind in her effort to seize control of their divided society. Set in a futuristic dystopia, this action adventure film will surely put you to the edge of your seats.

A remake of the 1987 sci-fi action blockbuster hit of the same name, this flick is set in 2028 where multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is the center of robot technology. After getting critically injured, good cop Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) gets transformed into a man with amazing new robot drone abilities, and he faces issues a human has never faced before.

The first-ever, full-length theatrical LEGO adventure follows Emmet (Chris Pratt), a perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person, and the key to saving the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a gargantuan task he is not prepared for. This Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-directed movie also features the voices of Liam Neeson, Elizabeth Banks, and Will Ferrell.

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re l a x and u nwind

EAR CANDY FOR THE FAMILY New releases that will refresh your playlists

Self-Help Apps These apps will transform your life and keep you in track...or at least inspire you to try. Gratitude Journal ($0.99)

We often complain about our problems but this app will keep you in a positive perspective as you list down what you’re grateful for every day. The Habit Factor ($6.99)

Change your habits and you change your life. This app is designed to manage the habits you are trying to create. LiveHappy ($0.99) “Atlas” by Coldplay

The British rock band’s latest song from the Catching Fire soundtrack talks about how people can work together to ignite change and make a difference. “Ordinary Love” by U2

U2 is back with a track from the Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom soundtrack that sends the message that if we can’t risk loving, we can’t reach any higher. “Say Something” by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera

A heartfelt ballad talking about giving up on someone you love. This song resonates that it takes strength to hold on but more strength to let go. “You Make Me” by Avicii

A shoe in staple in your dance playlist, Swedish DJ Tim Bergling AKA Avicii’s latest EDM track talks about finding someone you’ve always been looking for. “Let It Go” by Demi Lovato

From the Disney movie Frozen soundtrack is an empowering single that talks about being independent, leaving the past behind you and going your own way. “What Now” by Rihanna

From the seventh album of the Barbadian beauty comes a soulful track about getting lost, trying to figure your way out and feeling numb when you’re supposed to be in love. bcmag.ph

The app version of Sonja Lyubomirsky’s The How of Happiness features a personality analysis and activities that engage you on activities daily that will change your mindset. iStress ($0.99)

Feeling stressed out? This awesome app has several stress management activities such as inspirational poems and encouraging quotes that will definitely lift you up.

MEANINGFUL VIDEOS These short clips are entertaining and fun to share with the whole family. Kids on LOVE!

Some kids attempt to define what love is and share their thoughts in the process. This video features the most amusing answers, including one from a girl who claims, “If you take someone to Hawaii, they would fall in love with you.” Teaching Kids About Charity

No matter what time of the year, it’s always good to teach our kids about charity and giving back. Here’s a video that teaches us how to talk to our kids about this concept and how we can enlighten them through role-modeling. Kids Talk About True Love

A collection of heartwarming responses from children who talk about the definition of “true love” and what happens after the “happily ever after,” this video is amusing as it is adorable. { february-march 2014 } b c PHILIPPINES

hough the title is normally used to allude to combat, this family’s case couldn’t have been more the opposite. What we refer to is the one-year, practically whirlwind romance of the Magos.

february-march 2014 philippines

TV host, Pia Guanio, breaks her ‘habit’ of long relationships for the most stable ones of her life: as better half to her soulmate Steeve, and mother to her almost 2-year old, darling Scarlet.

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P hotographs by martin and k ariz tan y a F avis W O R D S by k ariz tan y a favis I N T E R V I E W s by k ariz tan y a favis and valerie anne del castillo M ake u p by G ela L aurel S tyling by Kat C ruz - V illanueva H air by A lvin D iaz sittings editor ai y a mai rodjel P hotography assistants M ar k C abalang and ahlee del rosario S tyling assistants Kamille O campo , N essel C ruz and N i k ita R ecile M ake u p assistant R hea O ronan S H O T O N L O C A T I O N A T T he B ellevue M anila , N orth B ridgewa y, F ilinvest C orporate C it y, A labang , M untinlupa cit y

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february-march 2014 philippines

rules of

engagement

PIA GUANIO-MAGO Valerie: We are here with Ms. Pia Guanio early this morning. (Note: It was a 6 AM call time) Pia: (Laughs) V: How are you today? P: Good, good. I’m actually quite used to this working schedule

now, because I have to take into consideration the other two shows. So now, everytime there’s something out of the ordinary in my schedule, this is the only slot we can put it in. V: Let’s go way back. Fondest memories as a little girl? P: I remember spending a lot of time, all Sunday, with my dad’s

side of the family, so I really grew up with a bunch of boys. I would always play with my guy cousins—basketball or habulan, things that guys like to do. We would have boxing matches. [My] dad would give us each a set of gloves and tell [us] to beat each other up. Me being taller than them boys—you know, developing slower than girls—I would beat them up very easily.

V: You were taught to be strong at a very young age. P: Not intentionally, I think it came with the territory

‘cause I had to survive with a bunch of makukulit na little boys. V: You were even known to drive a pick up truck in your younger years, so that’s kind of tomboyish. Can you tell us more about that? P: That was actually my first car purchase. It was my choice to

buy a truck. I didn’t wanna get bullied on the road, I wanted to be the one doing the bullying. And we all know about Metro Buses, so I didn’t wanna be cowered into my own little lane and sidestreets—I wanted to be more confident on the road. That was the choice.

V: It’s a good choice. What did you take up in college? P: I took up Broadcast Journalism in UP, so I guess

you could say that what I’m doing now is really what the plan was from the very beginning. V: So that was your dream as a young girl. P: It was one of the things that I wanted to do, but I also wanted

to be a lawyer—because my dad is a lawyer. I didn’t wanna take up something impractical—say if I didn’t continue on to law school—that it would be totally, utterly useless. So I said, something practical so that if I finish after four years, I can just work first, or do more studying. I could just stop and do something with my life. V: I see, so how did you land the “Traffic Angel Pia” gig? P: That came out of wanting to go back to radio, because prior

to that, I did production work for Inside Story for ABS-CBN. I was working under Loren [Legarda] and I did a few years with her. I was producing stories for her, and maybe I think after three or four or five years, I thought that I knew everything that there was to learn about producing, being behind the cam. So my first gig, my first job out of high school was radio. I was working as a newscaster in 99.5 RT, so after doing all the behind the camera stuff for TV, I said, “Why not go back to radio?” I went back to RT, and they had me do an audition tape. I had no clue that they were looking for a girl for a chopper job. I thought they were gonna give me a radio job on land, but instead they decided to put me in like a helicopter and instead of broadcasting on one radio station, I was doing it for four inside the chopper. So that’s how it started. V: What was that like? No fear of flying? P: None whatsoever. Back then, I was

totally fearless. There was nothing you couldn’t make me do. That was a nice experience.

Life-sized giraffe by ZUNY, Price available upon request, Feliix Alabang Town Center

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bcmag.ph

Pia: Jungle print multicolor dress by TOPSHOP, P2,895 Steeve: Maroon pullover by TOPMAN, P3,495 . Light gray pants by KENNETH COLE Scarlet: White knit cardigan by DKNY, dkny.com . Gray floral print dress by AMERICAN EAGLE, ae.com . White mary janes with gold detail by FLORSHEIM KIDS USA . Diaper by EQ DIAPERS bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

She was supposed to come much, much, much, much later, after we were kinda sick of each other, sick of doing the couple thing, traveling, going out. But no, God had other plans, and Scarlet wanted to come out... â&#x20AC;&#x201D;pia, on finding herself as a new mother

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V: Let’s talk about your current hosting job. 24 Oras, Showbiz Central, Eat Bulaga—how did you get into that? What was the first? P: How did that happen? I got Eat Bu-

laga first, of the three that you mentioned, and this was after I worked in Channel 2. I was also in their noontime show, their morning show, all of the Maganda: Magandang Gabi, Magandang Tanghali, so it was really kind of a long shot that after I did that with Channel 2, that Eat Bulaga would even consider me, coming from the rival show. We just took a chance—Tita Malou Choa-Fagar who’s the COO now of FAME that produces Eat Bulaga, is a good friend of my manager, June Rufino. They know each other from way back, so she gave her a call and asked her if she was interested and fortunately, they were. I remember the first day I did Bulaga. It was the day after my birthday that I reported for my first day of work, and it was a remote show in Intramuros and they made me sing and I’m like, “Okay, good luck to me.” It was a Christina Aguilera song. It was alongside Toni Gonzaga, who’s really a singer and performer. I’m like, “I can do bcmag.ph

this. I know this song.” V: And you did. So let’s talk about the biggest challenges for you with your hectic schedule. It’s now 7:30 am—what are you doing next? P: Well, the biggest challenge is always

trying to fit so many things in one day and with the traffic, there’s not much you can really do with the day now. V: You live in the south, right? P: Yeah, I live in Alabang now,

so what happens is a lot of time management juggling. It’s always logistics planning with me and Steeve on how, where, he leaves to pick up Scarlet, or where we’re gonna meet, whenever we have doctor’s appointments—so it’s always planning while we’re having breakfast. “Okay, so I’ll meet you at The Fort at 3:30...” I’ll come from Bulaga, then he’ll come from Alabang. I don’t wanna miss the doctor’s appointments, so I always like to be there whenever there’s something that’s Scarlet-related. Even with shoots, he’s very supportive. It’s good, and right now, I really don’t want to wake up one day and then find out that my daughter’s already 10 years old or a teenager

and she’s more on her phone than with me. I bring her with me ‘cause I leave at about 10 o’clock to go to work, she comes with me. V: That’s about a two-hour trip to QC? P: An hour and a half, on a bad day.

Then she’ll drop me off in Bulaga— buti nalang we have a condo in Pasig, which serves as our halfway place. So whenever I’m in one of my shows, she’ll stay with her yaya, and then I come home to her, then some days we’ll go to Gymboree together or go do some activities, we’ll go shopping or playdate before I leave for 24 Oras. After the news, that’s when I pick her up and go back to Alabang. V: What do you all do for fun? P: We normally like going out

of town. Now that she’s more mobile, it’s more fun to bring her to out of town trips, like last holiday season, we were in Baguio and she really had a blast because the weather was nice and there were a lot of kids at John Hay Manor to play with, and she’s running around the grass and stuff. Then the other weekends, we were in Clark and in Batangas, at her february-march 2014 philippines

grandparents’ house. V: It’s a good thing that you don’t really have work on weekends— P: Well, I used to have one show. I used

to have Bulaga and thankfully, I don’t have to work Sundays anymore. It was like a blessing in disguise because when Scarlet came, they also pulled the plug on that show. I’m really happy that I have Sundays now.

V: You’re also known for your stellar body. How do you keep fit? P: Grabe naman yung stellar! (Laughs) V: But you look great! P: It’s really hard work. I mean, peo-

ple will always think that I was just blessed—

V: Born that way? P: —to be thin ever since, but after gain-

ing 30 pounds—

V: After the pregnancy? P: Yeah! It wasn’t a joke

getting back to shape. It was easy enough losing the weight, but getting toned again—you know, not letting things sag here and there, and jiggle—was a different matter, so I had to hit the gym. V: Was there any pressure being on TV? P: I think that’s the primary reason I keep

in shape. If I was just at home or run-

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ning a business or whatever, I wouldn’t be as religious about it because now I wake up at 6 just to go to the gym, right? V: You do? P: Yeah! And

then I run in the mornings, or I go off with Steeve and bike, but that part I enjoy. It’s really the going to the gym—it’s also quite enjoyable, otherwise I wouldn’t be so religious about it either, and also because I don’t feel so good when I don’t do something active. I become very lethargic, or it feels like such a drag to be doing things that I normally do. It really helps also keep the pace up, especially if you have to do so many things in a day.

V: Going back to your TV job—aside from the singing with Toni, do you have any best or most embarrassing memories from like a first hosting gig? P: Hosting for me is never a problem.

It’s when they make me do production numbers that I totally lose sleep or my knees start to shake— V: Do you ever get stage fright? P: I get really nervous every time

they make me do a dance number. I’d rather sing, but I don’t think they’d rather have me sing, so that’s why they don’t relegate me to dancing production numbers. I thought that after several years of doing it, I would actually feel com-

fortable in my skin—but no. It never becomes comfortable for me. V: If you weren’t a TV personality and host today, what would you have pursued? You mentioned being a lawyer, probably. Did you have anything else in mind? P: Yeah, well I didn’t have a head for

business like my husband does—I’m not good with numbers—so that’s definitely out of the picture. Anything finance-related or banking-related is strictly out— V: Accounting. P: Yeah, I write.

I used to be an associate editor of a magazine, so I’d probably be doing something in publishing. But had I not pursued this career, I think I would have pursued law school, definitely. That was something that I really would have wanted to do. But one thing led to another, so here I am doing dance numbers. (Laughs) V: How do you spend your summers with your family, and do you have any favorite travel destinations? P: I think none of us really feel summer

as much as we used to when we were still students, so summer for us is the Holy Week break, really. That’s basically it. And since it’s about a week of vacation time that you’re given, we try to make it a big vacation. The problem bcmag.ph

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with planning a vacation during Holy Week is everybody else is doing it, diba? Sometimes, we just like to stay in town so that nobody’s around. Otherwise, you’ll see everybody else in Hong Kong or in the States. The airport’s really crowded and it’s such a mess, diba? V: Stressful, especially when you’re bringing kids. P: Yeah, so that’s the thing. But I think

when Scarlet starts going to school, she’ll have a longer summer vacation, I think we’ll still be pretty much doing the same thing, but that’s why we try to plan our vacations off season. The last

engagement

memorable one that we did was when we went to Europe, because it was a first for me and my husband. We went to Italy and France. We went to places in Italy that aren’t commonly visited. There’s this place in the southernmost part of Italy called Apulia that was really nice, really dreamy, like it was coastal, and very untouched—you’ll see olive trees that are centuries old.

P: My phone, obviously, what else? Pocket wifi. My wallet, although sometimes I leave that. Lip balm and cheek stain, I think? That’s the most makeup I bring in my bag, basically.

V: Very organic. P: Oo, parang setting of Godfather.

friend, Claudine [Trillo], was going out with one of Steeve’s good friends as well and one time, she forced me to go out with her to meet up with her boyfriend’s friends—and he was there. I think she

V: Five things in your bag that you can’t leave home without?

V: So it’s very low maintenance. P: Ah, shades! V: Let’s talk about you and your husband. How did you guys meet? P: We met through our friends. My best

Pia: Blue silk top, P1,199 and blue printed skirt, P1,279 both by SUITE BLANCO . Beige ankle strap sandals by DUMOND, P4,300 Steeve: Orange and beige checkered button down shirt, P9,450 and Orange cardigan, P16,500 both by HUGO BOSS . Light khaki pants by KENNETH COLE . Brown lace up shoes by PEDRO, P4,095 Scarlet: Green printed dress with polka-dot print ruffled bloomer by RIGHT BANK BABIES, rightbankbabies. com . Tan mary jane shoes by FLORSHEIM KIDS USA, P1,899.75

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Pia: Purple bodycon dress with zigzag detail by Armani exchange, P8,450 . Gold t-strapped heels by DUMOND, P5,267.50 Steeve: Blue printed button down shirt by HUGO BOSS, P11,500 . Light gray pants by KENNETH COLE . Dark brown brogues by PEDRO, P4,195

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Some relationships you stay, like 8, 7 years and never move a step further and this one, in a matter of a year, everything happened. I think it was God-inspired. —pia, on her past relationships and marriage to steeve had it in her plans to set me up with one of his friends who wasn’t Steeve. (Laughs) But that didn’t work out— what happened was, I ended up talking to him instead of that guy I was being set up with. We just kinda hit it off, and he started calling, and we started seeing each other more, and before we knew it, we were engaged, and then biglang we were getting married, and then biglang we were moving to our house na, and then Scarlet came a month later—I mean, Scarlet wasn’t in the plan. She was supposed to come much, much, much, later, after we were kinda sick of each other, sick of doing the couple thing, traveling, going out. But no, God had other plans and Scarlet wanted to come out na, so there. V: How did you know that he was the one? P: It’s weird, it’s so cliché, but you re-

ally just know. I mean, I had my own share of long term relationships and it bcmag.ph

never felt like that. So it was strange, and it happened in a matter of a year or so—the whole meeting, dating, getting engaged, getting married. Some relationships you stay, like eight, seven years and never move a step further— and this one, in a matter of a year, everything happened. I think it was Godinspired. Otherwise, it would have had a lot of obstacles, had a lot of bumps, we would’ve had some second thoughts, and stuff. V: And you married in a private ceremony here in Alabang. Why did you decide to keep it an intimate occasion? P: Yeah, that was actually so that we

could move in to the house already. We didn’t wanna move in together without being married. We just wanted to keep it on the down low, because it was really meant to be small. We were planning on an out of the country wedding for everybody else to attend. That’s why

we went to that place in Apulia, in Italy. It was gonna be a destination wedding. We were gonna invite people to go there the year after. But we said, “Oh, we’ll just have this small, simple blessing from our pastor,” —so that we could move in, knowing that we did it the right way and all. But what happened was, after that wedding, I got pregnant. The wedding in Italy never happened because I got pregnant. V: Maybe it will, now that Scarlet’s all grown up, a toddler. P: Oo nga eh. So we had to wait until

Scarlet came out, then we had a big wedding in Tagaytay, because she was too young to travel all the way to Italy. It was planes and trains to get there.

V: Planes and trains. So how do you think motherhood has changed you? P: Wow, lots. Leaps and bounds talaga.

First of all, I’ve never been so selfless, I february-march 2014 philippines

Pia: White 3/4 sleeve short dress by ARMANI EXCHANGE, P7,950 . Beige high heeled sandals by DUMOND, P4,300 Steeve: Light blue shirt and light gray pants, both by BEN SHERMAN Scarlet: Green printed dress with polka-dot print ruffled bloomer by RIGHT BANK BABIES, rightbankbabies.com . Tan mary jane shoes by FLORSHEIM KIDS USA, P1,899.75

think, in my entire life until I became a mom. I had never had to take care of somebody else before I got married and got a kid. Also, so many things fade into the background. All of a sudden, so many things are not so important anymore... V: Suddenly like there’s this one focus— P: Yeah, like it’s not so important to buy

so many pairs of shoes, or to do so much shopping. In fact, like I’ve had to bug Kat [Cruz—stylist for this shoot] all the time. “Can you just build my wardrobe for me?” Because after I got pregnant, there’s nothing to wear. In my closet,

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I still had some of the stuff that I was wearing when I was pregnant. I’m like, “Hello, I think I need a wardrobe update.” I don’t wanna have to do it myself because— V: You don’t have time anymore. P: Yeah, the few hours that I had

that’s free every day, of course, I’d rather just spend it with Scarlet than having to spend it on something to do with yourself again, you know what I mean? It’s so tedious to have to go to, let’s say, the salon, because you know she’s not gonna be there. So you gotta think twice—do I really need to go to the salon, or can

I go a few more weeks without having to go? V: So do you have any plans to add more to your family? P: Hahaha! (Laughs) Let’s talk about

this when Scarlet turns two.

V: How many more months before she turns two? P: She’s 17 months today. V: That’s nice. I’ll ask you again when she turns 2. Okay, finish this sentence: “I make...” P: Make up things. All of this is a lie.

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(Laughs) I make a pretty good mom, apparently. I was really scared of that, while I was pregnant. I had serious doubts about my maternal instincts—talents. I mean, God takes care of the rest, you just take care of the part you can, and he’ll take care of the rest. Somehow, you just start doting on this baby when it comes out, somehow you just start knowing how to care for her. V: It’s there. P: It’s automatic that you start loving her,

devote your life to her—it’s so weird. V: Was it an easy pregnancy? P: Super easy. The delivery

was easy, I mean it’s a no-brainer to think of actually having another one, since I had such an easy time. It was such a breeze the first time around, but my consideration is more like, can we handle it? Can we actually handle one more kid? I mean right now, it’s all time management jugglin—how much more with one more baby? I might have to really say goodbye to like—

V: One show. P: One show, or two, diba? V: “If I wasn’t a mom, I would be...” P: Traveling a lot more. (Laughs)

Now, the consideration is like, will she have fun where we’re going?

V: She’s too young to appreciate—what am I seeing? I’m seeing Rome. P: Or will it be too hectic? It’s always like

an army of things, of people, when you bring her with you. Yeah, so she’s always the decision maker for us, on where to go next.

STEEVE MAGO

Kariz: Steve, let’s talk about when you were a boy. Fondest memories. Steeve: I have a lot—one is when

my family and I would travel to Baguio for summers to meet up with my cousins. My father’s from Baguio, so we go up there for Holy Week. K: I learned you are also from Zobel, as am I.

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S: Ever since I was 5 years old, so since prep. I have a Loyalty award.

K: How do you deal with challenges, the rumors that come with marrying a TV personality? Is there much? S: Personally, I really don’t mind it be-

K: I don’t have one! Regarding Zobel, we were a magulo group. S: Oo, mga pilyo mga tao dun. Super

cause Pia and I really have a good relationship and communication, so if there are any rumors that come out, Pia and I just talk about it. We trust each other, and that’s it.

gulo. What I like about Zobel is that it’s a very athletic school. I played sports ever since I was grade 1—basketball—I was a varsity ever since I was in Grade 3 until high school.

K: So how did you know that Pia was the one? S: Oh! So after that first meeting.

K: That’s a long time. S: It was a long time,

and everyday, I practiced. You need to maintain a certain grade to get into varsity. My parents were very supportive about it.

K: When you met, “She’s so pretty!” Then after? S: Siyempre, you first notice the physical

features, diba?

K: That’s nice. So you took up what in college? S: Oh I took up BS HRIM in Benilde.

K: Of course, that’s what attracts you. S: After dating a couple of months,

almost a year, that’s the time that I knew she was the one. I proposed to her. Ang bilis. In a year, we got engaged—then after 6 months, she got pregnant.

K: So can you tell us more about your day job? What do you do now? S: Now, I’m into the purchasing and

marketing side of our business. We’re in the car rental and car leasing industry. So transportation, basically. We’ve been doing that for the past 18 years. I started my company in 2004. Technically, 10 years this June. Our rent-a-car business—my dad started his own business 8 years ago. Bus shuttle.

K: That’s really nice. Love story yan, ah. S: Love story yan. K: Speaking of which, how did you propose? S: Oh! I proposed to her one morning

in February. She woke up early in the morning, I proposed to her while she was still in bed.

K: So your clientele mostly are…? S: Corporate clients. They lease the

cars from 2 to 5 years. There’s security for 5 years of investment. K: Sounds great, I thought 1-year was long. S: Normally for expats, they stay here

in hotels. They don’t buy vehicles. They just lease it from people like me. K: So how did you and Pia meet? You mentioned you had a 7-year age gap? You met in 2010. S: We met in 2010 through a common

friend, Claudine Trillo. We were in a party with common friends—Claudine introduced me to Pia, and then that was it. Everything is history after that.

K: Fell in love. S: Love at first sight, in other words.

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K: Did you wake up Pia? “Pia, wake up. I have something to say to you.” S: I was kneeling down on the floor. I was

Pia and I decided that since we’re both Christians, we really want to give her good Christian values. Also, to be humble, generous, and loving, [to] honor us, honor her parents. —steeve, on the values they want to teach scarlet

on the bed, asked her to marry me! She cried, and I cried, and she said yes. Then we popped open a bottle of champagne after that.

K: Fast forward to now: how has fatherhood changed you? S: It really changed me a lot.

I really didn’t see myself having a kid before having Scarlet, but after Pia gave birth, everything changed. K: Now you can’t imagine your life without her. S: Yeah, I mean whenever I travel,

when I go abroad on a business, dapat kasama talaga sina Pia and Scarlet.

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K: It’s different, no? S: Iba yung joy mo

with having a kid as compared to being a single man. K: It’s a different kind of love, no? S: Yes. K: And what have you found to be true about parenthood? S: Love, that’s one. I think that’s the

most—the unconditional love. Sometimes, you can really get frustrated. K: Because you can’t really understand them. Like, ‘what do you need?’ S: Especially the first six months of

having a baby...Like, you don’t know what’s going on, right? K: Exactly. S: Why are

you crying for 30 minutes straight—you already did everything. Gave milk, changed diapers, burped, then wala pa rin. At the end of the day, after that, you’re still so worried. K: You feel like, what else is happening? S: That’s true. Yung worry ng parents,

ibang iba.

K: It never ends. S: It never ends. Correct! K: So how do juggle your family and work life? You have your own business. How does that work out? S: Our schedule—usually, we have

breakfast in the morning. Scarlet sleeps throughout the night already. It’s also good for us because we get to rest. We’ll be in bed around 11. Scar will be in bed around 9 or 10 then we all wake up at 6. And then we exercise in the morning. K: What do you do for exercise? Do you run? S: Yeah! I run or bike in the morning

Steeve: White crisp button down shirt by BEN SHERMAN . Khaki pants by HUGO BOSS, P15,500 . Brown leather shoes by PEDRO, P4,195 Pia: White romper with gold straps by MISS SELFRIDGE . Gold t-strapped heels by DUMOND, P5,267.50 Scarlet: Seafoam cardigan by PETIT BATEAU . White fishies dress by ZUTANO, zutano.com bcmag.ph

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I really didn’t see myself having a kid before having Scarlet, but after Pia gave birth, everything changed. —STEEVE, on becoming a first time father Pia: Textured orange long sleeved dress by DOROTHY PERKINS . Beige and gold sandals by DUMOND, P4,300 Steeve: White crisp button down shirt by BEN SHERMAN . Khaki pants by HUGO BOSS, P15,500 . Brown leather shoes by PEDRO, P4,195 Scarlet: Seafoam cardigan by PETIT BATEAU . White fishies dress by ZUTANO, zutano.com

around the village, and then Pia will go to the gym. Then we’ll all go back home at 8 then have breakfast. Then I go to work at 9. Sometimes, if Pia doesn’t bring Scarlet, I’ll bring her to the office, then Pia will just go to the office after her Bulaga. In between her Bulaga and her 24 Oras.

pregnant, she started cooking. Whenever she has a day off, she’ll plan the menu then she’ll cook. She’ll do the grocery also. That’s what amazes me about her.

K:The system is set. S: It’s set—or most

cated na si Pia. During her pregnancy, when she was on her vacation na, she started already.

of the time, Pia will bring Scarlet. She’ll leave Scarlet at the condo, then go back to the condo after Bulaga. If we didn’t do that, Pia will not see Scarlet. Imagine, she’ll leave at 10 and go back home at around 9 o’clock in the evening so...baka di na niya makilala si Scarlet.

K: That’s right. Grabe yung schedule ni Pia, no? S: Long days kasi si Pia. K: Describe Pia off camera and as a mom. Pia: Make this good! K: What amazes you most about her? S: You know what? She’s so maalaga

especially to Scarlet, and she’s very playful ‘pag nandyan kami, ‘pag magkasama kami. Ever since she got bcmag.ph

K: That’s nice. A different side to Pia— very domesticated. S: Oo. Hindi niyo alam na domesti-

K: What are the values that you want Scarlet to imbibe? S: First of all, Pia and I decided that

since we’re both Christians, we really want to give her good Christian values. Also, to be humble, generous, and loving, [to] honor us, honor her parents. Basic values that we want to teach her.

K: Finish this sentence. “I’m very into…” S: Now? I’m very into Scarlet! Every

morning when I wake up, I go to her crib or to her room, so sometimes, she sleeps in her room. I always go to her in the morning. I always check up on her. So our world, Pia and I, really revolves around [her].

K: Have you ever experienced anything scary with Scarlet? Think about that. S: One time, she choked—so that

was scary. Then one other incident, she was so sleepy and tired, and she was holding a plastic toy and then she fell. She had a wound from her nose to her eye. K: Oh my God! That was super scary. S: It was super scary. K: Did you rush her to the E.R.? S: No, she wasn’t bleeding. It

was a superficial wound. She was around 10 or 11 months.

K: Finish this sentence. “If I wasn’t a dad, I would be...” S: An athlete, a full time athlete. K: Basketball—why did’t you pursue it? S: I got into the business na rin. I pur-

sued my course, then after a year, I started my own business na. I don’t play basketball anymore. I’ve been doing triathlons for almost 2 years now, so that’s my hobby. K: That’s nice. S: Pia and I bike

a lot, and we even run. That’s our family bonding. bc

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2/F One Legacy Place, Don Jesus Boulevard, Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa City For appointments, call 552.6884/ 0916.507.3227 or email mark@bcmedia.ph

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bring home the gold Now that the Winter Olympics in Sochi is in full swing, Filipinos are catching on to the chill thrillâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;especially in figure skating. Our home-grown, Michael Christian Martinez, is the sole representative of the Philippines and first to be part of the global sporting event in 22 years. Here, we look back at some BC US Olympians, and how they are pursuing their dreams while raising their families

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zach lund

This American Skeleton racer has sledded his way to the Olympics— and has simultaneously mastered being a parent

wo musts if you want to nurture a future Olympian: the right kind of environment, and people who believe in you. Take Zach Lund, an American Skeleton racer who won the 2007 World Cup Championship. “I grew up at a ski resort called Alta,” he explains how he got into the world of sports. “My dad was the deputy sheriff, and my mom owned and ran the first children’s center/daycare at the resort. So I grew up on skis. I always wanted to be an Olympian since I was very young, and my parents were very supportive.” He feels blessed that he is surrounded

by so many supportive people who have helped him be who he is today, especially his dad, whom he absolutely looks up to. According to Zach, “I respect that he has dedicated his life to civil service. He is a firefighter, but has been on search and rescue teams of all sorts, including FEMA, and has risked his own life for others and never expected anything in return.” A father himself, Zach admits that mixing family and career used to be challenging. “The only year in the past eight years I did not make the World Cup team was the first year I was a parent,” he shares. “It was much harder than I could have ever ex-

pected.” He also shares how daughter Alyssa often thinks that she is a cat or a dog. “She will bark or meow rather than talking, for hours. She will even crawl around on all fours. It’s hilarious.” Zach wishes for his daughter to be persistent and to realize that anything is possible. “Life has knocked me down many times,” he states. “But I have always [gotten] back up and kept going. ‘Always follow your dreams.’ It was these amazing words that my mom passed on to me shortly before she passed away from cancer, and I have lived by them ever since—and hope that Alyssa will too.”

“Life has knocked me down many times,” he states. “But I have always [gotten] back up and kept going. ‘Always follow your dreams.’ 78

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bring home the gold

chad hedrick

An inline and ice speed skating champion for quite a while now, Chad entered a new rink to conquer: parenthood

here’s no doubt why Chad Hedrick is an American champ who boasts of 3 Olympic medals in 2006 alone, and several World Cup wins—his parents owned a roller skating rink in Spring (outside of Houston), and at 2 years old, he was already skating circles around kids three times his age. In the 80’s, he moved on to inline skates, and eventually jumped on ice with the desire to win an Olympic gold medal someday. Chad, who considers visiting over 32 countries as the most fun part about his sport, has countless career highlights, such as coming up with a unique technique in skating, known as “the double-push” or “the Chad,” which is now the standard for the best skaters.

He is also currently enjoying another highlight in his life—becoming a dad to Hadley Angel, who was born in 2009, and according to him, likes to snort. “She squishes her eyes and nose together, and breathes in and out of her nose really fast,” the smitten dad says. “And it’s pretty cute.” Chad looks up to golfer Tiger Woods as a sportsman and a family man. “He is a fierce competitor and is able to focus on the task at hand without giving in to distractions,” Chad describes his idol. “I also can appreciate the fact that he is very serious about his sport, but even more serious about his family. Tiger and I have that in common.” He adds that, “I have an extremely busy schedule training and racing—but when the races are over and there’s a break from training, I’m changing dirty diapers and preparing bottles,” Chad shares, proving how serious he is as a family man. When his daughter was barely a year old, Chad has already entertained the idea of his little one following in his footsteps. “There is an ongoing joke in my house that my kids are not going

to skate!” he shares. “Neither my wife nor myself has any desire to spend any more time in a freezing cold city or ice rink!” On the flipside, he wants his children to have a drive for whatever it is they are passionate about, to not give up on their dreams, and to trust them with many decisions. “I really hope my children notice the sacrifice I put into my sport and also the desire to be the very best,” the Olympian says. “If you choose to do something in your life, you should commit to it fully and wholeheartedly.”

jenny potter

Privileged to represent the US, this threetime Olympian says she couldn’t do it without the support of her family

t wasn’t so long ago when Jenny Potter just lived a couple of blocks away from an outdoor rink, walking there with her family almost everyday during winter. Now, she is a three-time Olympian who bagged the silver medal at the 2010 Olympics, and is also mom to two children (now 7-year old Cullen, whose antics include wearing his underwear and pretending he’s Optimus Prime from Transformers, and a now 12-year old daughter, who loves make-up, plays tackle football, and is already a statechamp in swimming). Jenny, who idolizes her father, Sidney Crosby, and Wayne Gretzky, has learned all about hardwork and dedication—two things she wants her kids to imbibe. And when it comes to winning and losing, she teaches them that, “They might fall short today but they always have tomorrow, and hard work goes a long way. They have to enjoy what they do, and work hard at it.” She adds that in life and sports, they should also learn “to be both a gracious winner, and a gracious loser.”

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bring home the gold

todd lodwick Returning to competing in Nordic combined, Todd proves that even retirement can’t stop you if you’re really good at what you do

aving been raised in Ski Town, USA gave Todd Lodwick the opportunity to participate in winter sports. At 15, Nordic combined became his focus. In the early 90’s, he started a successful international career and then eventually retired. After being gone for two years, he sprung back into the scene in 2009—becoming a twotime World Champion. He made the US team for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and earned his first Olympic medal in the Team Competition in February that year. Finding the sport both fun and challenging at the same time, Todd says that, “The combination of putting two different sports together keeps it interesting but can also be challenging to find the balance.” He finds having a family and a busy sched a tough juggling act. “Sometimes I find it hard to get out the door for my training sessions because of a blown diaper, playtime with the kids, or a 4-year old that wants to go with me.” But this title holder knows his priorities. “My family is my life and skiing is my profession.” As a parent, Todd wishes for his kids, now 8-year old Charley, and 5-year old Finn to always be healthy and safe, but also know how to take calculated risks. The two never fail to crack him up. “Charley likes to have performances at home, which typically involves stunts and acrobatics off my arms and feet. Finn loves to feel the beat of the music and shrug his shoulders,” the proud papa relates. As he has learned the virtue of setting goals and working hard to achieve them, Todd would also like to impart to his kids about triumphs and its opposite: “Some of my greatest lessons have come from my defeats and reevaluating my goals, and then getting back there. As they say, it is not the destination, it is the journey!”

“Sometimes I find it hard to get out the door for my training sessions because of a blown diaper, playtime with the kids, or a 4-year old that wants to go with me.” 80

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daron rahlves

Known as the most successful male downhiller in the U.S., it looks as if Daron’s got his eyes on being the most extraordinary family man as well

ith 7 U.S. National titles, 15 U.S. National Podiums, 28 World Cup Podiums, 12 World Cup wins, and 3 World Championship medals, it’s not hard to assume how easy skiing is for this Olympian, who, when it comes to the sport, looks up to anyone who takes chances and puts it all on the line in a professional manner. So what does he find difficult? Balancing having a family and an extremely busy schedule. “My wife and two kids are number one and most of the time it revolves around them,” he says. “My training, sponsor commit-

ments and competitions are limited.” But with determination, persistence, and perseverance—three virtues he wants to pass on to his children—it looks like he is doing a good job as a father to his twins, Dreyson and Miley, who he hopes to be healthy, strong-minded, strong-willed, hardworking, environmentally-conscious, and adventurous people who will treat others with respect and have lots of fun in this life. “I love them more than anything and want the best for them,” Daron states. This champion skier got into the sport

after he and his sister tagged along with their parents and grandparents to ski. When it comes to his own kids, he’s not really imposing the sport. “I have an amazing life as a skier so I wouldn’t mind if they gave it a shot, but it’s up to them,” he explains. And whatever their dream is, here is what Daron wants to teach his twins about winning and losing: “To win is great, but giving all you have and knowing you did your very best is greater. Be a proud and humble winner. Congratulate those who put on a great performance.”

“To win is great, but giving all you have and knowing you did your very best is greater. Be a proud and humble winner.” bcmag.ph

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Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a formal dinner out with the grandparents, or a weekend out of town, these ensembles will keep your brood looking sharp-dressed and photo-ready photographs by mar k cabalang

Family Portrait

Blue pinstripe polo by MARKS & SPENCER, P3,950 Pixie tulle dress by COTTON ON KIDS, P1,199

Swanky dad + little princess = daddy daughter date 82

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Hip daddy + Sexy momma + Three stylish tots = family night out

Royal blue dress with cutout detail by FOREVER 21, P1,175 Orange Grow Your Own dress with brown belt by MOTHERCARE, P1,699 Red paisley shirt by CRIB COUTURE, The Sm Store . Light brown pinstripe pants by H&M, hm.com Green and orange gingham classic fit polo by PENGUIN Cream dress with floral applique by BABY FASHIONISTAS, P1,699 bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

Family Portrait Boho chic momma + 2 little hippies = going to bcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kidstock!

Multicolor sunshine sports by MOTHERCARE, P899 Vohemwar stripes & floral blue caftan by SEEKTHEUNIQ, P1,970, seektheuniq.com Flock slash dress by NOHI KIDS, P2,585, chichimary.com

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Assymetrical buble dress with feather print by BABY FASHIONISTAS, P1,199 Peach sheer sleeveless top, P1,025, Black textured shorts, P1,175, both by FOREVER 21 Azealia jumpsuit in Geo Cross by COTTON ON KIDS, P999 Sunset bouquet Lauren dress by SIAOMIMI, P3,240.16, chichimary.com

Stylish mommy + Tres Marias = afternoon tea with the girls bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

Family Portrait Chic mother + 3 cool kids = game night with the fambam

Dark green Keisha cropped sweater by THE RAMP CROSSINGS, P1,360 Blue star Samara hanglow knit sweater by COTTON ON KIDS, P1,349 Taupe/black woven polkadot shorts by FOREVER 21, P715 Baby Starters monkey hat by RASHTI AND RASHTI, rashtiandrashti.com Vintage bacon t-shirt by GINGERSNAPS Plum corduroy pants by ZUTANO, zutano.com Violet Ditsy dress by SIAOMIMI, P3,240.16, chichimary.com

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Cool mom + Chill dad + photo-ready lil duoS = mall rats

Self-plagiarism sleeveless top by BLEACH CATASTROPHE White dress with ribbon detail by LITTLE MISS, P399.75, SM Store Beige knit straight cut pants by PROMOD, P1,195 Red buttoned shirt, P445, Navy blue shorts with paddle print, P1,095, both by REGATTA Venice Beach pink shirt by COTTON ON KIDS Gray pinstripe pants by BABINETTE bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

Slick papa + relaxed chic momma + preppy pair = awesome foursome

Turquoise satin dress by PROMOD, P2,695 Mint green skull newsboy cap by FORE AXEL & HUDSON, foreaxelandhudson.com Dark brown short sleeved polo by BLEACH CATASTROPHE Aipsch mixed cardigan by MOTHERCARE, P1,199 Electric eel jenny jeans by COTTON ON KIDS, P1,349 Blue jeans by TRUE RELIGION, truereligionbrandjeans.com Light green and gray sweater by BURBERRY, burberry.com

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Family Portrait Dark khaki corduroy jacket by REGATTA, P1,695 . Brown and blue checkered polo by MARKS & SPENCER, P2,150 Gray floral dress by LILLY, P599.75, SM Store Orchid Bouquet Mimi dress by SIAOMIMI, P3,340.04

Sporty father + 2 girly girls = yin and yang (and young) bcmag.ph

february-march 2014 philippines

bc directory FASHION (Kids) BABY FASHIONISTAS Alabang Town Center, Eastwood, Glorietta 3 BLEU COMME GRIS, SIAOMIMI, CHICHIMARY, chichimary.com; 788-1742 COTTON ON KIDS Greenbelt 5, SM Aura, Robinson’s Place Manila CRIB COUTURE, LILLY, LITTLE MISS SM Stores nationwide FLORSHEIM KIDS USA TriNoma Mall, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Ermita, SM North EDSA The Block, SM Mall of Asia, Rustan’s Department Store, The Landmark GINGERSNAPS Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Plaza, Trinoma MOTHERCARE Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza

BC Magazine cover mom, Daphne OseñaPaez and daughter, Lily

Subscribe to BC Philippines the best choices for your family 5 issues for only P480.00 10 issues for only P960.00 Free delivery within Metro Manila

Please make all checks payable to BCMEDIA INC. or deposit to any BDO branch under BCMedia Inc. account number 4128000560 or Sterling Bank branch account no. 1636-000029-89. 0916.507.3227 | 0939.130.0997 | 904.1665 e-mail: editor@bcmedia.ph | www.bcmag.ph

BC Magazine U.S. Cover Mom, Kourtney Kardashian with son, Mason

(Adults) ARMANI EXCHANGE Alabang Town Center, Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Plaza BEN SHERMAN Shangri-La Plaza BLEACH CATASTROPHE Greenbelt 5 DOROTHY PERKINS Mall of Asia, Powerplant mall, SM Aura DUMOND Greenbelt, Trinoma FOREVER 21 SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia HUGO BOSS Greenbelt 4 KENNETH COLE Greenbelt 3, Powerplant Mall MISS SELFRIDGE Greenbelt 5, SM Sura PEDRO Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza PENGUIN Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza PROMOD Greenbelt 5, SM Aura, SM Southmall REGATTA Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 3, Eastwood Mall MARKS & SPENCER Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza SUITE BLANCO Alabang Town Center, SM Aura THE RAMP CROSSINGS Glorietta 2, Shangri-La Plaza, Trinoma SEEKTHEUNIQ seektheuniq.com TOPMAN Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 3, Robinsons Magnolia TOPSHOP Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 3, Robinsons Magnolia

HEALTH AND BEAUTY BABY COMPANY, BAMBOO PAPPY, BLOOM, BOON, CHICCO, ERGO BABY, THE FIRST YEARS, MOM & BABY, MOTHER’S CHOICE, MUNCHKIN, PIGEON, PICOLO, PLAYSMART, SANSFLOU, SUMMER INFANT, TIP TOE All Baby Company stores CYCLES SENSITIVE Baby Company stores, All leading groceries and supermarkets CLARINS, CLINIQUE, L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE All Rustan’s department stores EQ, EVIAN, JOHNSON’S, NIVEA All leading groceries and supermarkets FRUITS & PASSION Greenbelt 3 JUICY COUTURE Greenbelt 5 KERATIN COMPLEX All Jing Monis salon branches MUSTELA Alabang Town Center, Glorietta 4, Greenhills, Shangri-La Mall, TriNoma TINY BUDS Baby Company stores, Numa Baby, All leading department stores VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 5

APRICA Baby Company Outlets nationwide; LJS Corporate Center, 550 Magistrado Abad Santos St., Bacood BABY COMPANY MALL BOUTIQUE 3L SM Aura Premier LIFESTYLE Tel. No. 232-9451 Other branches: Power Plant Mall, SM North Edsa The Block, SM Southmall, SM Cebu CLARA, LAGARDE, TERRA VEGA, VIGNETTE, SAINT AMBROSE The Farm Resto, One Legacy Place Building, Don Jesus Boulevard, Alabang Hills, Munticlupa CHAMPETRE Ground Level, Net One Center Building, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig CYCLES SENSITIVE Baby Company stores, All leading groceries and supermarkets EQ eqdiapers.com.ph; Leading drugstores and supermarkets DRYPERS, JOHNSON’S All leading drugstores and supermarkets THE FARM thefarm. ph; 403-9130; Landmark Supermarket Makati and Trinoma, Rustan’s Supermarket Makati, Powerplant Mall Rockwell, San Antonio Forbes Park, Edsa Shangri-La, Shopwise Libis FELIIX feliix.com; Alabang Town Center, UG Activity Center (beside Zapote entrance), Muntinlupa City; 966-0442 FULLY BOOKED Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street GIBI Glorietta 2, Market Market, Robinsons Ermita, SM Department Stores GRACE PARK One Rockwell, Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati LA GIROLLE 2nd Floor, Bleu Sapphire Building, 30th Street corner 2nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig LUSSO Greenbelt 5, Makati MADE IN CANDY Alabang Town Center, Powerplant Mall MANNY O WINES Deli at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati Avenue MEDELA 0917-5614386; 725-3723, 738-6272, 964-7331; medelamoms@gmail.com MOMBABYFABRIC facebook.com/ilikemombabyfabric MUSTELA Alabang Town Center, Glorietta 4, Greenhills, Shangri-La Mall, TriNoma PHILIPS AVENT 667-9000; Rustan’s and Baby Company stores; avent.com SHIMMIAN MANILA SURGICENTER Medical Plaza Ortigas, Conneticut, Greenhills, Tomas Morato TENDERLEAN The Landmark Supermarket Makati and TriNoma, 8097442 URATEX Premium mattress uratex.com.ph; Km. 23 East Service Road, South Super Highway, Muntinlupa City; 842-6326 to 27

shopping bag

EQ Dry Econo Packs: Now with added features! EQ Dry Baby Diapers with its added features will surely make your babies happy and comfortable as it now comes with Bubble Top Sheet—this new feature helps reduce diaper rash and allows air to move freely so baby stays dry and comfortable. All these unique additions combined with EQ Dry’s 100% breathable cottony cover and side leak guard makes EQ Dry Baby Diapers the best choice of every moms. Enjoy these features in every Econo Pack of EQ Dry with the same affordable price that will surely fit your budget. EQ Dry Baby Diapers is available in your leading supermarket, grocery stores and drugstores nationwide! Visit www.eqdiapers. com.ph and be a member of the EQ Baby Club. JOHNSON’S BABY PLAY FACTORY Busy moms like us have no time for fuss while preparing our kids for school or going out. That’s why Johnson’s developed the Baby Play Factory, a special pack where powder variants are repackaged to become toys or props for playtime. What’s more, several fun powder playtime activities are also included on the packaging—making prepping time less stressful for you, and more fun for your child. facebook.com/JohnsonsBabyPhilippines THE RUMBLE YARD BY DC SHOES AND RES TOE RUN Kids can now experience DC urban lifestyle and quality time with their parents at Res Toe Run stores after the brands launched the Rumble Yard, the first action-inspired kids event last December and February. The event aimed to inspire children to boost their energy and engage in sports. Today, DC offers a wide array of men’s, women’s, and kids’ skateboarding and lifestyle footwear, available through Res Toe Run shops in the Philippines. Alabang Town Center, Market Market, Podium, Shangri-La Mall, Glorietta 4

The Cream Factory Give your skin a scrumptious treat with this The Cream Factory’s goat’s milk. Well known for being topnotch in quality and purity, this dutch treat is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other elements to nourish and protect the skin as it moisturizes, exfoliates, and promotes collagen growth. Here’s a plus factor for us mommies aging gracefully: goat’s milk even reduces wrinkles and fine lines. dessertfortheskin.com

ASIAN EYE INSTITUTE COMMERCENTER ALABANG The only ambulatory eye care center in the Philippines with international healthcare accreditation has opened its Commercenter Alabang branch, the biggest among satellite clinics. Clients in the southern parts of Manila can now enjoy the same high quality service they have come to expect from the institute. Unit 106, Ground Floor, Commercenter. Commerce Ave., cor Filinvest Ave. Alabang Muntinlupa City; 403-9031

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An exclusive on the now family of four, as the Israeli actress, producer, and now reality TV star talks about raising two daughters with her husband, the esteemed artist and writer, Bruce Rubenstein

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You gave birth in 2012 to Journey Elle. What’s it like having two daughters now?

I love having two girls. I used to want a boy, but today, I’m not sure what I would do with one. It’s totally fun dressing them up with cute dresses, shoes, and hairbands, as well as enjoying girly time of giggles, fashion, and art. It’s also great to have more progesterone in our household—then we can gang up on Bruce (laughs)—just kidding. When all three of us cuddle together, I see two tiny replicas of myself. I feel total “girl power” and a bond and love that is hard to describe unless you’ve felt it by experience. My dad gave me the love of sports, even rough outdoorsy stuff, so snow skiing, water skiing, tennis, and martial arts totally complement all the ballet, tap, and voice extra currics. Having two kids is definitely more of a challenge. We got so accustomed to life with a singleton, and Mila’s schedule and our whole family’s itineraries, that

adding another tiny baby that needs attention and care 24/7 was somewhat jarring to begin with. But we’ve found our groove, and our house is always vivacious, vocal, and colorful. How is Mila taking to her little sister?

Mila is just an amazing human being. Everyday I’m in awe of her “give.” She has that nature that women—like both of my grandmothers—possess. Pure. Selfless. Giving. Caring. Always putting others before them. She is so protective of her little sister. She worries more than Bruce and I! She schools us everyday since the day JuJu was born that we don’t feed her right, that we don’t position her right, that she can swallow this and that, that she can fall here and there, that this and that is dangerous. It’s really funny, but also super endearing. It’s like, “Is she your baby or mine?” I see a very tight bond between them that I never knew exi-

sted. I am a single child to my parents, so I wasn’t so familiar with growing up with siblings. Juju is the same with Mila, the first thing Juju does in the morning is look for Mila and jumps on her head if she is sleeping. She likes to snuggle in Mila’s arms in her bed. It’s so funny to see Mila’s little body carry this pretty large baby. Bruce and I never thought that Mila would be like this. We always knew she is a special girl, but her nurturing and caretaking has been remarkable. Very often she will watch the baby for an hour or two while I’m filming on the show, or when Bruce is working. She is another set of hands and never complains about helping us. The funniest moments is when she shoves me out of the way and lays out 10 different outfits for Juju to wear, like dressing a doll. She always picks the most elaborate dresses even when we have to wear something super comfy to go shopping at the supermarket—

Shirly: Dress by GYPSY05, gypsy05.com . Gold shoes by MICHAEL KORS, michaelkors.com . Jewelry by ONE OF A KIND, shoponeofakindjewelry.com . Diamonds by ORKA MESICA, orkamesica.com Mila: Dress by GYPSY05, gypsy05.com . Shoes by LUCKY TOP, shopstyle.com Bruce: Shirt by GYPSY05, gypsy05.com . Pants by ZARA, zara.com . Shoes by M BROTHER, shoebuy.com . Hat by H&M, hm.com . Glasses by BADGLEY MISCHKA, badgleymischka.com Journey: Dress by KRICKETS, kricketsworld.com bcmag.ph

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Bruce and I never thought that Mila would be like this. We always knew she is a special girl, but her nurturing and caretaking has been remarkable. matching shoes included. How are Mila and Journey alike and different? Which child takes after you?

Mila is a fairy. She spreads fairy dust on every person that comes in contact with her. After they encounter her, they become somewhat uplifted, enlightened, and calm. She has this ethereal quality: gentle, caring, selfless, introspective, and deep. Journey is a firecracker. She is really hyper and giggly, silly, playful, extroverted, and has very strong opinions, wants, and needs. They are very yin and yang but in a way, a perfect match. They are similar in that they are both really good girls. With Mila, I always feel like I have to protect her, so that the world won’t tarnish her and that nobody takes advantage of her kindness. With Journey, I feel like if somebody came to hurt her, she would punch them smack in the face! Literally and figuratively, ha! They also both love to dance. Tiny dancers. From the moment they were 7-8 months, they started shaking their stuff. Now, Mila is a seasoned dancer—hiphop being her favorite, and Juju is following suit. Bruce and I are very creative—we have an edgy sense of humor and strong personalities. I think they both share our artistic and creative sense, our big hearts, and positivity. Journey is probably strong-willed, like us. Mila is well...we just all agree...she is just from another universe.

it day by day. Depending on our individual schedules, we work out who drives Mila to school, takes her to all her extra currics that day. It’s always a rollercoaster ride challenge trying to work everybody’s schedules and remaining sane while still finding time to eat, sleep, work out, and find niches to cuddle, love, cook and just spend time as a family. We also have my mom here, so she helps from time to time, and our beloved nanny that has been with us for years, and is practically part of the family. Tell us more about your new hit show. Who do you play and what is it all about?

Our show is a docu-drama and is called “Connected” and it’s the #1 Cable Show in Israel for HOT Network (which is like the Israeli HBO). We joined the 5th season, which will be called this time, “Connected Plus” as the cast is male and female and the spouses are very involved. It was created by Ram Landis and Doron Zabari, and has sold internationally to over 22 countries. The premise is 5 known individuals in their field document their lives using produc-

How do you and Bruce split parenting duties?

Set shots from the show

Bruce is the definition of the “modern man, modern dad.” He is always hands-on in both girls’ lives. He never shies away from lending a helping hand, spending time with them. We have each other’s backs. We both have multiple careers—myself as an actress, producer, manager of Mila’s career, and now a reality TV star—and Bruce as a producer, writer, manager, designer, and artist. Between the whole family being on the show, and all that has happened in all of our careers in the past couple of years, on all other fronts, we are up to our eyeballs. No day is similar to the one before it. We basically make a weekly plan and then take

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S hir ly B renner tion cameras and light equipment for almost a year—without a crew, on set director, nor producer. Then, the stories are juxtaposed and cut into 35 episodes (a huge order in the world of television). It has been one of the most challenging endeavors of my adult life. In this show, we function not only as on camera talent, but also as so many of the technical and production aspects like scheduling, line producing, directing while on set, actually shooting— holding and operating the cameras, and many other aspects. It has taken over our lives and has been one of the most interesting, forward thinking, and creative things I’ve done. There is a voyeuristic aspect to it, but unlike super hyper produced shows like the Kardashians or the Housewives, [it] is super raw and edgy. We reveal things people would never know about us. It has been liberating and of course, a bit scary that as of September 2013, I had millions of people following my inner

and outer life, family and friends, work, and personal. I’ve had to work alongside Bruce and it has added to a special bond that we’ve always shared. It’s made a comradeship in getting it done and digging deeper, challenging ourselves, pushing our personal and work relationship to new limits. Even Mila, who is a big part of the show, learned how to operate a camera and work within the format. Even Juju is now aware of the camera always being there. The episodes go viral, and in that sense, my life will be on display for the whole world very soon. Much of the format is done in personal monologues to the camera and in that sense, you reveal your inner thoughts, loves, hates, inhibitions, aspirations, and psyche. Biggest achievements to date?

I think my biggest achievement in life is my family—my marriage and my daughters. I’ve worked really hard

to reach what I have, and preserve it and nourish it. As far as career—every year, I find new opportunities that push me into new zones and limits. I don’t really play them one against another and say this one was better than the other, as they each had their special merit and to each of them I gave it my all. I am grateful to be working in a creative field and in many aspects of it—one that I am passionate about. I am especially proud of playing a complex bipolar schizophrenic abusive mother in “Touched,” which was based on a real story, and I love the layers and subtlety of the comedy of the character I created in the dark action comedy, “Hit List.” It was quite an accomplishment to work as a VP of Biz Development for one of the big film companies in town and I’ll never forget my screen time with two of the acting legends of all time simultaneously—Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. bc

Shirly: Black dress by BEBE, bebe.com . Shoes by MONA MIA, monamiashoes.com . Jewelry by ONE OF A KIND, shoponeofakindjewelry. com . Diamonds by ORKA MESICA, orkamesica.com Mila: Black dress by THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, childrensplace.com . Shoes by MICHAEL KORS, michaelkors.com Bruce: Shirt by H&M, hm.com . Ultra skinny legs jeans by LEVI’S, us.levi.com . Shoes by ALDO, aldoshoes.com . Hat by STYLE 212, trademarkia.com . Glasses by BADGLEY MISCHKA, badgleymischka.com . Jewelry by ORKA MESICA, orkamesica.com Journey: Shirt by SPARKLE COUTURE, sparklecoutureclothing.com

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Bruce and I never thought that Mila would be like this. We always knew she is a special girl, but her nurturing and caretaking has been remarkable. P hotographs B Y A braham J oseph P al S t u dio S tills from â&#x20AC;&#x153; C onnected â&#x20AC;?

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