'A positive attitude makes a woman beautiful'

Sister speak with Carla abellana:
'A positive attitude makes a woman beautiful'
By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA MOD July 2010

WITH her skin's pinkish, white glow, Carla Abellana could have easily bagged her dream gig during her pre-showbiz, modeling days: to appear in a Pond's television commercial. According to the actress, she always wanted to appear in an ad for the beauty product. She even tried her luck in three VTRs. But Carla's dream never came to be. Little did she know that she would be in for a much bigger break: the lead role—the title role, if we may add--in a prime time television series. That, as most teleserye fans know, was Rosalinda, a local adaptation of a Mexican telenovela. And the bonus part? She did get the commercial of her dreams as she's now the newest endorser of Pond's.

Now, as one of the most recognizable faces on TV, Carla makes a conscious effort not only to look good but be good in her craft. Here, the star of Basahang Ginto spills some other beauty and career secrets.

Away with negativity. “Confidence and attitude is what makes a woman beautiful. Kahit sino ka pa, kahit hindi maganda ang skin mo or what, basta masayahin kang tao at positive ka, that’s what will make you beautiful. Although there are low days, I manage naman to maintain that positive attitude. Importante 'yan to keep me going. At sa trabaho ko hindi naman puwedeng nakasimangot at nagsusungit ka.”

Her happy pill. “Happiness is just a matter of counting your blessings, and seeing what matters to you. Kahit anong problema ang ibigay sa 'yo alam mong nandiyan 'yung family and friends mo. That's what makes me happy always--family and friends talaga, plus I have a good career and that I’m given so many opportunities and blessings.”

Taking the challenge head-on. “I think the toughest challenge that I have faced in show business was the adjustment phase, and that I had to start from scratch. Nandoon 'yung ‘O sino siya? Sa'n siya galing?' Kasi normally ang artista, tini-train 'yan, bini-build up, nag-iipon siya ng experience. Ako wala akong ganyan, wala akong bala. Right away, I was given a lead role in my own show. Ang daming expectations from the network pa lang, all the more from the public. So I had to maintain an image. I had to really learn to sing, dance, act...everything. In such a short span of time, kinailangan kong humabol sa ibang artista and deal with the pressure, the schedule, and everything else. So nung umpisa nangangapa pa ako.”

One step at a time. “I told myself na kakayanin ko with the blessing and the support of my family, and that I’ll take it one day at a time--'yung kailangan kong gawin today, 'yun lang muna. Hindi ko na masyado inisip ang future. Sucessfully, thankfully, nagawa ko 'yun. I was given enough time to prepare, so I’d like to believe that I was able that to prove something in that one year I was in showbiz. Acting has helped me a lot. Doon ko nadaan ang emotions ko.”

Newbie forever. “It’s been a year since I entered showbiz and I can say that I've adjusted. Hindi nga ako makapaniwalang its been a year, eh. I’ve learned to really enjoy my job now and madami na akong ka-close sa industriya. Dati kasi syempre nandoon 'yung pressure kasi baguhan ka. But I will always see myself as a newcomer and that will always make me humble--kung paano ako nag-umpisa, saan ako nag-umpisa, at kung ano ako dati. What’s important is nalampasan ko na yung stage na 'yun--'yung puno ng anxieties, kaba, pressure, and stress.”

The backup plan . “I have a degree already, so no matter what happens with my showbiz career, I have a job pa rin, may fallback ako. I can go back to teaching, or to the corporate world.”

Derek Ramsay: Dodging Rumors

By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
MOD JULY 2010

A STAR’s popularity can be measured by the number of rumors floating around him. Derek Ramsay isn’t an exception, as he is hounded by rumors left and right.

“May issue na peke ang katawan ko, may issue din daw na may gay sex video ako,” says the Century endorser, used to all this brouhaha. “Wala akong tinatagong asawa sa ibang bansa, wala akong tinatagong anak that I know of, at wala din akong gay sex video.”

He adds, “’Yung pinaka-nakakatawa ay ‘yung peke daw yung katawan ko,” he says. Can’t blame him. After all, he worked out for his body? More than eating the right kind of food, he works on his physique through his passion for sports like ultimate Frisbee, and now mixed martial arts (MMA) in preparation for his role in the teleserye Magkaribal which started airing recently. "Nag-training kami sa URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championships). I had some good trainers sa Mojo Gym who helped me out. Parang crash course in MMA, which I really, really enjoyed. So when I get back from South Africa, I might step away from Frisbee for a while and strengthen my body through MMA. Parang wrestling, boxing, and ju-jitsu caught my interest," he says.

Derek’s calm approach to intrigues, however, stops once his family gets involved. And actress Angelica Panganiban, his longtime girlfriend, always seems to be dangled along, with some rumormongers insinuating she doesn’t get along with his family. According to Derek, not only him, but also his family, like the Rubi star.

“We’re not just partners, we’re also friends,” Derek says on what keeps his relationship with Angelica strong. “We help each other grow in our careers, given na ‘yun na you’re supposed to trust each other. Anyone can say that, but in our relationship, we let ourselves grow. I don’t set rules for Angel when she became my girlfriend, or when I became her boyfriend. I’m not going to set rules, if she wants to change for me, or if I want to change for her, we do that by ourselves. We don’t impose on each other. She’s growing as a person, as an actress. I’m growing as a person, I think. That’s the reason why happy ‘yung relationship namin.”

When Sex Hurts

When Sex Hurts

By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA

Published MOD July 2010

SEX hurts. Many say it hurts the first time women do it. But then you’ve already done it several times, yet a feeling of discomfort and pain manages to outdo your sexual satisfaction.

This problem is called painful intercourse or dyspareunia. Dr. Judy Ann Uy-de Luna of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of St. Luke's Medical Center, says, “Dyspareunia is a sexual dysfunction that frequently has an organic basis regardless if it’s your first time or not.”

Dyspareunia can be caused by many reasons. Says Dr. Uy-de Luna, “Factors such as poor lubrication results to vaginal dryness; vaginal infections; urethritis or inflammation of the urethra which is difficult urination; cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder; trigonitis, a condition of inflammation of the trigone region of the bladder; episiotomy or poorly healed vaginal lacerations; and diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis can all be attributed to these organic causes.”

Lack of foreplay can also cause painful intercourse. “Sexual response problem or lack of arousal decreases the woman's ability to become sexually aroused and to become vaginally lubricated,” says Dr. Uy-de Luna. “It could also be secondary to Vaginismus or a condition that is secondary to involuntary spasm usually in the vaginal introital (or the opening of the vagina) and levator ani muscles resulting to painful or impossible penetration.”

Birth control pills not only affect ovulation as some side effects can cause certain mood swings. “Certain oral contraceptive pills can cause adverse mood changes such as depression, irritability, tension, and fatigue which affect a woman's sexual behavior,” Dr. Uy-de Luna warns.

One technique that Dr. Uy-de Luna recommends to lessen the pain is by experimenting with your sexual positions. “There are instances that dyspareunia can be relieved by changing coital position. Couples should be encouraged to experiment with female-dominant and side-by-side positions to see if the pain can be prevented,” she said.

If you experience pain during intercourse, it is wise to see your obstetrician immediately. Dr. Uy-de Luna also advises that the physician should obtain a careful history when the dyspareunia occurs, whether during insertion of the penis, at the mid-vagina during thrusting, or with deep penetration of the vault to pinpoint the organic cause and subsequently treat specific pathologic conditions.

Your (Weight) Loss is Your (Beauty) Gain

Your (Weight) Loss is Your (Beauty) Gain

By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA

MOD June 2010

HEARD of the the bride-to-be in the United Kingdom who wanted to lose weight so she could fit into her wedding gown? She ate only 530 calories a day 11 weeks before her altar date. She never marched down the aisle.She died!

Every woman wants to be radiant on her wedding day.That is why many brides-to-be work really hard to trim down their food intake, and exercise to fit into their wedding gown. But, for those of you who have already set an altar date with their man, be warned! Never overdo your diet as you may suffer the same fate as the bride-to-be from the UK.

Here are some tips on how to be a fit and fab bride:

Eat healthy. Get proper nutrition by eating fruits and vegetables. The carbohydrates that you eat should contain fiber as this will help you feel full between meals. The protein that you consume must be lean meat like chicken and fish. Take your vitamin supplement daily. And make sure never to skip meals. When you do, your body holds on to the food in your stomach because it does not want to starve. You starve less, yes, but the stored food makes you bigger!

Choose what you eat. You can do this by keeping a food diary. Here, you will write down every single thing---of food and drink and its quantity---that you will put into your mouth. Keeping a food diary will help you resist the urge to eat as you become aware of the things that you consume. It will help you eat more responsibly.

Never underestimate the value of exercise. According to fitnessmagazine.com, exercise boosts metabolism and controls calories. So, dedicate at least an hour of your day to exercise. Before the big day, be sure to do some fat-busting aerobics. You can even try to do belly dancing, striptease dancing, or pole dancing to practice those moves. There are gyms which sell monthly membership, but if you are too shy to gyrate in a gym, try working out at home with an exercise video.

Find a diet partner. Since they, too, would most likely want to look fab in gown, recruit your bridesmaids or your mom to join your diet regimen. Have someone close to you to remind you of your diet; of what to and what not to eat, and when to exercise.

Motivate yourself. The drive to lose weight before the big day should always come from the bride herself. So, whether it be the wedding gown or a picture of a model, be sure that you have a stimulus to lose that extra fat.

You Asked

I’m a smoker, and I know that it is bad for my lungs. But now my friend says that it is also bad for my eyes. How true is this? - Mandy, via Twitter

Asian Eye Institute Answers:

According to the Asian Eye Institute, smoking harms your eyes because it lowers the amount of blood flow to the eyes. Research has linked smoking to the increased risk of developing age-related muscular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness. There is also an evidence that the more you smoke, the greater the risk and the faster the progression of the disease.

Angel In White

Angel in White

BY ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
MOD Magazine June 2010

SHE GREW up right in front of our eyes. We saw her blossom from that kid in the comedy sketch show Ang TV to a versatile actress switching from daring roles like in the film Santa Santita, to comedic roles like in the gag show Banana Split. But now, at 23, Angelica Panganiban seems to be making another change in her life, with wedding rumors a buzzing.

According to some reports, Angelica is set to have a vacation in Africa with longtime beau, Derek Ramsay, who is said to be proposing to her there. Last year, they were said to have bought a house together. To put the icing on the cake, Angelica caught the bouquet at her friend Camille Pratts’s wedding.

What’s more, apart from being together for three years, the couple both have established careers. Derek is one of the hottest leading men today, while Angelica is praised for her acting range, pulling off roles in drama, like in her primetime starrer, Rubi, or comedy, like in her recent movie, Here Comes the Bride.

But those anticipating for Angelica's trip to the altar soon will be disappointed, as the actress does not think much about weddings. She adds, “Kung may mag-o-offer sa akin ng kasal, hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayri. Kung gusto akong pakasalan ng tao, sasabihn ko sa kanya, ‘Ikaw ang maghanda. Gusto mo akong pakasalan ‘di ba?’ Hindi na ako magpapaka-stressed.”

This is probably, because she is the type of person who lives in the moment. She does not even have a one-year plan. She explains, “Ayokong ma-frustrate ako. I’d rather live one day at a time. I don’t like to think about what might happen tomorrow. Matagal pa ‘yun, madami pang mangyayari.”

Still, Angelica remains optimistic about getting married someday. “’Yung wedding, para kasing naging tradition na lang siya. Women today only turn to it because they only like the feeling of donning a wedding dress, walking down the aisle and getting married. To me, ‘yung marriage yung importante,” she says.

Although she doesn’t seem like an eager bride, make no mistake about it: Angelica already has an idea of what type of wedding she would like to have. She shares, “Gusto ko sa church. Kailangan sa simbahan talaga. Gusto ko ‘yung church na nasa gitna ng dagat.” she said. One important wedding detail she was quick to point out is no media coverage. “Definitely, maliit na maliit na wedding lang, ‘yung dalawa lang kami--bride and groom,” she says.

So, could Derek be really her groom-to-be? Only time will tell. What Angelica is certain about is that when it comes down to her saying ‘I Do,’ it would be to “someone who is true, masayahin, spontaneous.”

If ever your memory would be erased, and you would have the choice to pick one memory left, what memory would you choose?

I’d rather choose to have my whole memory erased, back to zero. Ang sarap bumalik sa pagkabata, ‘yung wala kang iniisip. You don’t know what problems might come your way.

Whose body would you like to switch with?

Si Ate Vi (actress and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos). People don’t know that it is me right? People respect me and then they don’t know that I am me inside Ate Vi’s body. They respect me because of how I look and of my political stature.

If you would be stuck alone in a deserted island, what item would you like to have?

Cell phone so that I can call for help, or maybe a laptop, para makapag-Internet.

What was you childhood dream?

I wanted to be a nurse, nahiligan na lang talga ‘yung pag-arte.

What do you think is the turning point in your career?

When I did the role of Malen in the film Santa Santita.