Uplyfted eMagazine June 2021

June 2021
hello!
Welcome to the maiden issue of UpLyfted!
After months of preparation, it is with honor that I finally
present to you a collection of inspiring stories, informative
articles, and almost anything under the sun! It is our
mission to be your monthly source of good vibes, making
you see the finer side of lyf!
I hope you all enjoy reading what we have prepared
especially for all of you the past few months. This is just
the beginning of a wonderful journey that you and I will
take together.
Go on, read, and learn something new, with UpLyfted!

Ma. Tyffanie Anne Short
Founder & CEO
Cristina Hernandez
EVP, Strategic Marketing, Sales & Business Development
Xy-Zha Cabanlong
Managing Editor
Kai Magsanoc
Sarah Castro-Pineda
Meg Punzalan-Reynon
Janina Sanchez-Ines
Andrea Arcega
Steph Arnaldo
Michael John Realista
Hello Doctor
Contributing Writers
June 2021

Love is diverse
“If someone is gay and searches for the
Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?”
That is what Pope Francis said, July
2013 to the media as they were on
their way back to the Vatican after
attending the World Youth Day in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil.
By Xy-Zha Cabanlong
June 2021
SHOW YOUR PRIDE

Coming from the Roman Catholic Pontiff himself, it proves
that love is for everyone, regardless of which gender
preference you choose. To love and be loved is as basic
as our birth rights, it does not know boundaries, knows
no distance or colour, nor race. Love is absolute. Even
the bible says that love does not discriminate.
While our society is open to the idea of our LGBT
community embracing love, our brothers and sisters waving
the rainbow flag high and might has nothing but love but
as the society that we have are not keen on giving them
the kind of union that they clamour for. Same-sex union
will have to wait longer for our society to fully accept
even if the highest leader of the dominant religion in
the country has already placed his stand about the
controversial issue.
Love conquers all - and this proves to be true for those
same-sex couples who battled the odds just to be
together. We all heard of stories of LGBT couples going
against the will of their families because they do not
approve of the relationships, but eventually living their
happily ever after somewhere else, with the person they
choose to love. We all know of local and international
celebrities who are very open to talk about their union
with their partners and became a keen advocate of gender
equality, saying that
June 2021
SHOW YOUR PRIDE

But all the more, let us look at how Pope Francis lead by
example. Not that we wanted to take the very religious
path in asserting the diversity of love, but don't we all
find it amazing that the leader of the Roman Catholic
church himself accepts the LGBT community?
Doesn't it inspire us all to embrace our LGBT brothers
and sisters and let them love freely?
Pope Francis himself knows that times are changing and
that the religious should also adapt to it. Not only he
knows that times are changing but he reaches out to the
community himself, inviting LGBT leaders for a dialogue
in the Vatican. The Pontiff extends his respect by means
of opening the doors of the Vatican to the LGBT, making
them feel accepted, welcomed, and loved - something that
did not happen in the previous years.
Imagine a Pontiff going the extra mile to lead by example
in showing love for the community that has been
discriminated against, hated, abused, and outcasted for
so many years - that alone is something for us to ponder
on how we could emulate.
June 2021
SHOW YOUR PRIDE

June 2021
SHOW YOUR PRIDE
Let this quote coming from Pope Francis be a reminder for
our LGBT brothers and sisters to just love your heart
away, let no one stop you from expressing what your heart
truly desires:
"Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They
are children of God and have a right to be in a family.
Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over
it."
Feel loved and spread love!

Life as an Overseas
Filipino Worker
By Michael John Realista
June 2021
FROM ACROSS THE MILE
Being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) has been one of
the most colourful years of my life, which I truly believe
that God has planned for me.
Not known to many, I have never planned nor dream to work
abroad as I was somehow happy with how my young career was
going in the business district of Makati. As a bachelor, I
was able to sustain my personal needs, wants, as well as
help financially my family in the province with what I was

earning then. In my late 20s, I already had my long-term
plans with regards to my career path and my soon-to-be
family. However, as God's are always better than ours,
one opportunity has knocked on my mind for a job in the
Middle East through a former colleague who recommended me
to his boss. With the blessings from my family and my
fiancee, I took the leap of faith and entrust everything
to God on how things will be on the other side of the
world.
During my first year as an OFW, things were going well.
Though it was a major adjustment in respect to lifestyle
as I was situated in a country whose culture is
relatively not like the Philippines. Thank God, the
Filipino community in my place was very friendly and
accommodating which was a big factor in my adjustment
period. Workwise, it was also a major adjustment as
aside from dealing with different people from different
cultures, I have to exhaust my limited English
communication skills all day.
It was during my second year as an OFW when I got happily
married. Five months after our wedding, my wife followed
me abroad and life as an OFW has never been the same.
Living together with my wife has been a very big
blessing. No more homesick feeling, I have someone to
vent out my frustration at work, the house is always
tidy, and most of all, I can request for my favourite
food from the kitchen.
June 2021

After being together for more than a year, we were
blessed with a handsome baby boy. Again, parenthood was
another major adjustment in our life away from our home
country. No grandparents or aunts to assist us in case we
want to sleep properly, change diapers, bathe the baby,
etc. But again, God did not leave us alone as we were
able to survive early parenthood. When our firstborn was
almost three years old, we were blessed with another
adorable baby boy - our growing family has never been so
fun-filled.
Life abroad is not always a bed of roses for us, it has
its own challenges workwise, and personal-wise. Nut no
matter what the challenges are, my family has always been
the main reason why my sanity is still intact. Especially
during this time of the pandemic, they have been my
source of inspiration, and the reason why I keep telling
myself to get up every morning and face the day. It has
been more than eight years now since I embraced the life
of an overseas worker and if given the chance to stay
longer here abroad, I will be more than happy to stay as
long as my family is with me.
To all aspiring OFWs, there is no guarantee that things
will turn out the way we expect them from the beginning.
Risk will always be there as we move out of our comfort
zone. But like all risks, they can be avoided with proper
management. As such, we just need to be sincere in our
work commitments, obey the rules of our host country, be
faithful to our family back home and fervently ask
guidance from above. With God's grace, life as an
overseas worker will be a joyful journey for us.
June 2021

About the author:
Michael John Realista is a former basketball varsity
player of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He was part
of the 2003 and 2005 NCAA Men's Senior Basketball
Champion team, under the coaching of Louie Alas. After
his stint in the NCAA, he focused on his academics and
graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy. John,
as he is known to his friends and colleagues, had chosen
to hang up his basketball jersey in place of life in the
corporate world after he passed the Accountancy board
exam. He is currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia with his wife; Rhoss and kids; Zach and Zion.
June 2021

5 Beauty items you need
to perfect that date look
By Stephanie Arnaldo
June 2021
BEAUTY
Living during the pandemic doesn't mean we have to stop
looking good and feeling great about ourselves. It's
actually the best time to practice self-care and make sure
you're giving yourself the attention you deserve - not
just from yourself, but maybe from that potential suitor,
long-time crush, or your long-time beau!
Whether you're meeting that Tinder match in person, or
celebrating an anniversary date on Zoom, there's always

a foolproof but quick way to look and feel your best,
which is perfecting that easy, date-ready look.
Here's how you can accentuate your natural beauty for
your next physical or virtual date, with the help of
these 5 no-fail beauty essentials that are simple to use
but pack a gorgeous punch!
June 2021
BEAUTY
Apply a skin serum for that dewy glow
1.
If it's a "no-makeup makeup look" that you're trying to
achieve, we all know that it always starts with great,
healthy-looking, radiant skin. Let your bare skin do the
talking by amping your nightly skincare routine with a
gentle but powerful skin serum.
Make sure to choose one that fits your certain skin type
and specifically targets your most pressing skin concerns
- if your skin is dry, dull, patchy, or rough. You can
choose from either brightening, hydrating, or collagen

serums, among many others.
If your dull skin is in need of brightening, Answer19+'s
Yuja Bio M Brightening Ampoule Serum may do the trick -
it's made from germinated yuzu (citrus fruit), which can
help whiten uneven skin tones and lighten any post-acne
marks and blemishes.
Just pat 3-4 drops of the serum on your face after
cleansing and toning, and you'll be waking up to soft,
supple, radiant skin in no time.
June 2021
BEAUTY
2. Invest in good eyebrow tools
We all know that a strong eyebrow game is crucial in
completing one's makeup look. They do say that one's
eyebrow frame one's face, and it's true - the key to a
polished look is equally polished, strong, well-shaped,
and well-tinted eyebrows.
Before a date, make sure that your eyebrows are well-
maintained and shaped - whether you pluck them at home,
or have it waxed by a professional, or shaved, it's up to
you. Don't forget to further accentuate your groomed

3. Add some life to your face with a pop of color
A pop of color, whether on your cheeks or on your lips,
can definitely add a lot of life to an otherwise dull,
pale face. This is why a good blush and a pretty lipstick
rank as many ladies' top two purse essentials - just add
a brush of blush or a dab of lippie wherever you are, and
it can immediately make a difference.
Invest in shades that complement your skin tone - peachy,
orangey shades for morenas, and light pink, reddish tones
for the fair-skinned - and decide on what texture you're
brows with a trusty eyebrow pencil, powder, or pen in the
right shade to fill out your brows' shape and to cover
any hairless spots.
Lastly, keep those hairs in place by brushing some
eyebrow mascara on them (either colored or clear is
fine). It takes some time and practice to perfect your
brows, but you'll get there in no time. Plus, it's super
worth it!
June 2021
BEAUTY

4. Achieve shiny, luscious locks with a good hair
product.
What could possibly ruin a great makeup look? Sadly,
dull, dry, and damaged hair can. Don't forget to take
care of your tresses by giving it the nourishment it also
deserves, in the form of either a hydrating conditioner,
hair serum, nourishing oil essence, or treatment cream
for colored hair.
Apothehair has a Signature Sleeping Hair Mask that is a
no-rinse conditioner treatment that can detangle,
going for. For a dewy, moisturized look, go for liquid
tints, gels, and creams; for a more polished, night-ready
look, go for matte lippies and blush powders.
Generosa Organics has a vegan, cruelty-free line of lip
and cheek tints in both liquid and matte format,
available in a variety of colors: from tulip, peony,
fuschia, rose, and many others.
June 2021
BEAUTY

5. Show off those shiny, pearly whites.
You're truly never dressed without a smile, so make sure
to give those pearly whites a constant TLC, too. Aside
from regularly brushing your teeth and flossing (this
should be a standard procedure), you can also add some
extra shine to your teeth with the help of whitening
pastes, strips, or devices.
---------------------
Check out finelyf.com for the products mentioned in this
article and for other products that may be essential to
you.
hydrates, smoothen, repair split-ends, and straighten
flyaways with the use of herbal oils. Just massage it
through your locks and on your scalp and leave it
overnight!
June 2021
BEAUTY

A balanced life - view of
a working mom
By Meg Punzalan-Reynon
June 2021
PARENTING
A mother's love will always be pure and whole.
That's something that I have learned since becoming a
mother, which I first want to impart to everyone. It took
a 360 degree turn when I had my daughter - from thinking
what is my agenda for today as soon as I wake up because
flying is my life to revolving my daily concern around my
daughter. Did she eat well? Was she able to take her
vitamins? Did she enjoy her day? Did I make an impact on

her today? These are the kind of questions that clouds my
thoughts especially when I am not with her and a thousand
miles away from home.
They say working moms are never enough, we got used to
the stigma that a mother's sole duty is to take good care
of the family, especially the children. They even justify
that one can't balance career over family. They always
end up asking, why don't you just quit? You lived most of
your life, now is the time to settle down and take care
of your child.
And I say YES - yes that we do have our own opinions. As
for me, timing is everything - scheduling activities,
prioritizing calls, making sacrifices, and taking into
consideration everything for your child's sake. It
doesn't matter if it is 3 in the morning in the country
where I am in, if my daughter needs to hear my voice, or
see me at least in video calling, I will do so. If I'm in
the middle of an important business meeting, and my
daughter needs me, I make it a point to politely excuse
myself to my business partner and be with my daughter.
She is in her formative years, and if she wants me to be
there, I certainly would. After all, she is my utmost
priority and I will drop everything just to be with her.
Just like any mother out there, my world revolves around
my child.
However, in case that I really cannot be with her because
I have a duty to serve and I don't plan on resting my
wings as a flight attendant any time soon, I make sure
that my husband and my mother takes care of the needs of
June 2021
PARENTING

June 2021
PARENTING
of my daughter. Even when I serve my flights, as soon as
I have the chance to call or text back home, the first
thing I ask is how is my daughter doing.
Though people might think that a working mom's love is
always divided, let me assure you again that a mother's
love, whether working or not, is always pure and whole.
We can't choose what we see, hear, or even experience but
we can always choose what we plant in our hearts. No one
is perfect, what is vital is that no matter what, we
choose to instill love, happiness, and positivity in our
child's heart.
As a parent, we all have our strengths and weaknesses,
and I believe that no mother is better than the other.

June 2021
PARENTING
Mothers, whether working or staying at home, has their
unique style of looking after their child but it always
gears towards one goal and that is to make their child
feel important and loved.
So, to all you wonderful mommas out there, I know that we
face different challenges every day - never lose yourself
because you are doing a fantastic job! Live by the words;
my child, my rules. If you are going through a rough day,
look into your child's eyes, hug and kiss them and all
those blues will go away.
Keep going, Mommas!

Staying functional and
fit at home
By Coach Andrea Arcega
June 2021
FITNESS
It has been over a year since the pandemic started. Most
of us have been stuck in our homes to keep ourselves safe
from contracting any illness, but how are we staying
healthy?
One good thing our current situation has made people
realize was the need to boost one's immune system. We just
don't do that with fad diets, but it's equally important
to keep our muscles strong, and we can only do so with

constant movement. That's where exercises come in.
With businesses and gyms closing down, it is
understandable that many would be disheartened and
discouraged to do exercise because they don't have the
venue nor the equipment to use. The good thing is that
you can still do some working out in the comfort of your
own home, even without equipment!
Here are some simple full-body workouts that you can do
on your own to help keep you functionally fit. Grab a
partner and make it more fun!
WORKOUT 1: PERFORM 4 ROUNDS OF 4 MOVEMENTS WITH AN
ASCENDING REP SCHEME.
5-10-15-20
Jump Squats
Sit-Ups
Alternating Lunges
Push-Ups
Jump squats may entail a lot of leg work, but they will
also test your aerobic capacity. Start the exercise going
down on a squat, then springing up to jump, feet coming
off the ground. Perform 5 reps of this movement, then
move on to doing sit-ups.
June 2021
FITNESS

With the sit-ups, you start the movement with your back
pressed on the floor, legs either folded up together or
in a butterfly position and then throwing your arms and
body forward until you are sitting upright. Perform 5
reps of this movement, then move on to alternating
lunges.
June 2021
FITNESS
The lunges will only require you to make a big step
forward, with the trailing knee touching the ground as if
you're getting on the kneeling position, then bringing
your forward leg back to your starting position, which is
standing straight up. Perform 5 reps of this movement,
then do the last movement which is push-ups.

With the push-ups, you start the rep on a high plank
position and then bring your entire body down to the
ground, with your chest, hips, and knees touching the
ground and then pushing your entire body to go back up to
the plank position. As this exercise requires great body
and core strength, you may scale it down to knee push-
ups, or even wall push-ups if you're much quite a
beginner. Perform 5 reps of this movement, then start
over with the first movement, increasing the reps to 10
each movement, then 15 each, until you reach 20 reps per
movement.
June 2021
FITNESS

June 2021
FITNESS
WORKOUT 2: TABATA X 2
Tabata is a very fast workout that requires a lot of
cardio and endurance. The usual Tabata format is 20/10,
which means you perform a movement for 20 seconds, then
you rest for 10 seconds. You may check out Spotify or
YouTube for Tabata songs you can play to help give you
cues when to start and when to stop.
One Tabata is 4 minutes long, and you may choose to do
one movement 8 times, 2 movements 4 times, or 4 movements
twice. For this exercise, perform 4 different movements 4
times to complete 2 Tabatas.
Jumping Jacks
Inchworms
Mountain Climbers
Burpees
Jumping Jacks is a common exercise movement we have been
doing since we were kids. It's a simple cardio exercise
that you can do in one place. Jump to a straddle with
arms above the head, then jump back to a standing
position with arms on your side.

June 2021
FITNESS
Inchworms are good for working on your flexibility and
core strength. From a standing position, reach for the
ground, and let your hands crawl until you get to a plank
position. Once on a high plank, let your hands walk back
then reset to the starting position.

June 2021
FITNESS
Mountain climbers is another good core workout, whilst
training your legs and lungs for endurance. It is a fast
and repetitive motion that makes you feel like you're
climbing a mountain, only you're parallel on the floor.
The burpee is a complete bodyweight workout on its own.
It's a combination of 3 exercise movements: a push-up, a
squat, and a jumping jack. A lot of people hate it, but
if you do it often enough, you'll learn to love it. Or
love hating it.
WORKOUT 3: ENOM - 16 MINUTES
ENOM stands for Every Minute On the Minute. It means that
you are to perform a movement in its required number of
reps or time within a minute and perform a different set
on the next. ENOMs are great for strength training, as
well as setting one's pace throughout a workout.
AMRAP stands for As Many Reps As Possible. That means
within the prescribed time, you are to maximize your
energy in order to perform at a rate that will allow you
to sustain power throughout the entire workout.
For this core burner workout, you are to perform 4 sets
of 3 movements, and a rest period every 4 minutes.
0: 15 Supermans
1: 30 second Hollow Hold
2: AMRAP Single-Leg V-Ups
3: Rest

June 2021
FITNESS
Supermans will have you laying on the ground, with your
chest on the floor, arms above your head, and keeping
your body stiff and tight. You will need to lift your
arms and legs at the same time, until your body is shaped
like a boat (back arched), then bring your body back down
to the floor.
The hollow hold is the exact opposite of the Supermans. A
prominent gymnast coach coined it as "being a banana."
You will lay down on the floor on your back, hands above
the head, keeping your body stiff and tight. You will
need to lift your upper back and legs from the floor at
the same time, and hold that position for 30 seconds.

June 2021
FITNESS
The Single-Leg V-Ups is both a core exercise and a
flexibility exercise. Starting with your entire body on
the ground, you sit up and reach for your foot, one leg
at a time with an alternate arm. Rest on the 4th minute,
then repeat the order of the movements every minute, on
the minute until 16 minutes is over.

Although we highly encourage everyone to workout and do
some exercising, it is important to understand how your
body works. We all have goals that we want to achieve and
that's great, but we have to be mindful of what kind of
workouts we do. Just because you want to get those abs
doesn't mean you have to kill yourself doing 4 hours of
non-stop working out. You have to be smart. If you have
any medical condition, be sure to seek your doctor's
advice.
Understand that there is no one size fits all kind of
workout. Each person is different. If you have specific
fitness goals, best to get a personal trainer to help and
guide you through your journey.
Otherwise, just keep moving and stay functional.
Consistency is key. If you want results, you have to be
willing to work hard for them.
Start making fitness a habit and make a lifestyle out of
it.
June 2021
FITNESS

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from
him." - Psalm 127:3
It all started with Nea Deborah.
Alexis and Sheila Marie deal Cuesta always wanted a son
but a twist of fate happened that the sonogram revealed
they were expecting a daughter about 4 years ago. Just the
same, having a child was worth their 5-year wait.
A beeautiful encounter
By Xy-Zha Cabanlong
June 2021
PARTNER MERCHANT STORY

They named her Nea Deborah; her name, when translated in
Hebrew means God's sanctuary (Nea) and Bee (Deborah).
From their name research, the couple grew curious about
how to connect their daughter with bees that is why
before Nea's first birthday, they went to Bohol, had a
tour at a local bee farm, and ended with a rare photo
opportunity with the bees, plus their daughter adorning a
cute bee costume. On the flight back to Manila, the
couple had a lightbulb moment of coming up with a bee-
themed birthday party for their bundle of joy. They
learned so much on their visit to the bee farm and
thought that it would be nice to come up with a trivia
game that the parents and the children would enjoy
playing together at their daughter's first birthday
party.
Alexis and Sheila Marie devoted themselves to researching
more facts about bees to support the things that they
have learned in Bohol, conceptualized together, and come
up with something that is both educational and fun.
June 2021

In October 2018, they came up with a game that is
inspired by Snakes and Ladders and the card game called
Exploding Kittens. It instantly had a good reception
among their friends and family, convincing them to
publish the game and market it as it is both educational
and fun. By December 2018, the Sting-A-Win board game was
launched and published. But beyond coming up with a board
game that gives out facts about the bees, the Sting-A-Win
game cards also educates its players that the bible has
so many passages about bees and how its honey tastes so
sweet.
June 2021
From the success of Sting-A-Win, Alexis's fondness for
bees grew that he actually wanted to learn about bee
farming. He attended a seminar about it and thought that
maybe, owning a colony of bees might be possible in the
hustling and bustling Metropolis.
Many might raise eyebrows that it is not feasible,
thinking that the bees would die in the noisy city. But
guess what, Alexis had their place assessed by the
experts in the bee farming industry and was told that it
is possible to have a bee colony in their rooftop because

their location within the Metro has trees all over where
the bees can fly and find nectars to feed on.
By January 2019, Alexis took home 2 bee colonies and kept
them on their rooftop. Four months later, he was able to
harvest 23 kilos of honey, they kept a few for their
personal consumption and sold most of it. The following
month, he was able to harvest around 58 kilos of honey,
which was sold out in a jiffy.
June 2021
While the honey business is turning out well, the deal
Cuestas had a blow around July 2019 as Sheila Marie
suffered a miscarriage. She, however, channeled her grief
into creating something that is initially for Nea but
later on turned out to be a kind of brand that even
grown-ups can enjoy.
"Nea has very sensitive skin and since she was born,
she's using this brand that's sold commercially that's so
expensive and then while my wife is on Maternity Leave,
she saw the potential of using honey in skincare," says
Alexis on how the idea of coming up with the beauty bars
made out of honey came to be.
Sheila Marie attended a seminar about soap making but it

did not tackle incorporating honey into it. So, in turn,
she researched the benefits of honey in the skin and
found that it is rich in antioxidants, and from there,
she crafted a formula that incorporated honey into soaps,
shampoo, and conditioner line that she's trying to create
for Nea.
"We tested the product on Nea, and see if it is helpful
for her sensitive skin. We did stop using the expensive
commercial brand on her despite not telling her doctor
about it. My wife and I were glad of the positive result
it made on Nea's skin."
June 2021

From having only 2 colonies of bees on their rooftop, the
deal Cuestas now have about 15 colonies of bees that are
scattered in the Metro - in the homes of their parents
and some friends, proving that urban beekeeping is
possible despite the hustle and bustle in the city. And
since they do have a lot of honey to consume and sell,
they also decided to mass-produce the skin and hair care
line that Sheila Marie created.
June 2021
HoNea started mass-producing in September 2019, and then
launched the brand a month after, just in time for Nea's
birthday. Friends and family started ordering the BEEauty
Bars as corporate giveaways and gifts for the holiday
season.
More than the fact that HoNea BEEauty Bars are
handcrafted and made out of organic ingredients, it also
uses packaging that is environment-friendly.
"Our brand is committed not only to using all-natural
ingredients but also in not harming the environment that
is why we use packaging materials that are friendly to

the environment," Alexis added.
HoNea BEEauty Bars are more than just another organic and
handcrafted brand, rather it is a product made out of
love by parents who wanted only what is best for the best
blessing that they could ever receive - their daughter.
"You were handpicked by Almighty God. He saw you before
you were formed in your mother's womb and place you here
for a reason." - Joel Osteen
June 2021
-----------------
HoNea BEEauty Bars are available at finelyf.com, go check
their Shampoo, Conditioner, and Soap Bars which are sold
at a reasonable price.

Follow your heart.
A popular saying, timely advice for those who seek their
passion or people. As one begins the journey, it may lead
to the most unexpected places and experiences. It can lead
people to highs or lows. It hopes to swim in unchartered
waters. It longs for adventure and pleasure. Jumps into
the uncertainty of what's ahead and makes us too happy to
resist. We believe it's freedom, we believe it's life
Follow or Surrender?
By Sarah Castro-Pineda
June 2021
THOUGHT BOOK

until it pulls off and loses its hold. The heart becomes
distracted, unsettled, and dissatisfied.
Dissatisfaction tickles us, lures us, wants to fit us in
a box. It makes us sad, frustrated, and unaccompanied.
It's a cycle of the chase. Breathing to be more, to want
more. Stuck in the realities of life, we carry
dissatisfaction in a briefcase, we close it in the hidden
places of our closets, but the secrecy doesn't work. When
we feel dissatisfied, we feel the act to chase, to crave,
to be filled.
We don't want to look at our lives with an empty space.
With a hole. The heart rests but we know it won't take
long.
So where does our heart belong? When will it find its
cornerstone? When does restlessness end?
The life-giver who sustains understands our hearts. He
looks at it, examines it, reaches, and works in it. He
profoundly made it at the seclusion of the womb. He never
leaves it hanging but holds it securely in his hands. He
cares for it and heals the wounds of its past and the
fears of its future. He never tires in its pursuit but
rejoices in its return. He amazes it with greater climbs
and takes it to greater glory. He leaves it in awe. He
wants it still. He wants it complete and satisfied.
Follow your heart.
If the heart leads us to self-indulgence and self-glory,
is it worth following?
June 2021
THOUGHT BOOK

If the heart leads us to serve our own desires, is it
worth following?
If the heart leads to our true north that only feels good
but never does good, is it worth following?
Where do our hearts direct us? When will it move us to
something worth living? When does restlessness end?
June 2021
THOUGHT BOOK
The life-giver longs to have our hearts taught and led.
He wishes to take out the darkness in exchange for light.
He desires to feed it with love and wisdom. He delights
in restoring its ruins and promises new beginnings. He
carries its burdens and comforts them with hope. He looks
at it with good plans and patiently waits for its coming.
A surrendered heart.
Surrender may mean weakness and loss in the perspective
of this world but not with the life-giver.

The life-giver. He wants your heart more than anything.
He doesn't desire perfection. He doesn't desire temporary
offerings. He doesn't want your heart to be chained in
reckless living. He wants to consume and free it. He
wants to give it depth and faith. He wants to lead it in
the way eternal. He wants to save it.
Will you come to give your heart a chance to be led? Will
you open it to its true purpose?
A surrendered heart.
The heart wishes to love but hardly knows how. The heart
filled with brokenness longs to be whole again.
It is designed to be led. It is designed to believe and
surrender to its life-giver. It is designed to feel
unconditional love from its maker.
Will you surrender? Will you give it to the one who knows
how to fix it? Will you?
Follow or surrender?
June 2021
THOUGHT BOOK

Beauty and Goodness:
Carla Abellana is a
woman on a mission
By Kai Magsanoc
June 2021
COVER STORY/CHANGE-A-LYF

"Nothing is more important than empathy for another human
being's suffering. Not a career. Not wealth. Not
intelligence. Certainly not status. We have to feel for
one another if we're going to survive with dignity." -
Audrey Hepburn
The news of her engagement with Actor Tom Rodriguez came
to a buzz when the couple posted it first on social media
which was followed up by a vlog on her YouTube channel.
The reel-turned real-life couple has been together for
such a long time that fans and people in the showbiz were
looking forward to that milestone. And while the soon-to-
be bride is busy with all the preparations for her
upcoming wedding, Carla still makes it a point to make
time for her other ventures apart from showbiz, including
something that is innate in her that eventually led her
to become the Ambassador of Change-A-Lyf.
Carla seems to have it all: a thriving career despite the
pandemic, a relationship that has grown stronger during
the lockdown, a family that she can lean on, a network
that supports her, and fans who love her very much.
But she is not just an actress, she is also an advocate:
Google her and her work in animal welfare will fill your
search results. In August 2020, she became an Ambassador
for Liter of Light's "Light it Forward" challenge, which
brought solar-powered lamps to remote areas of the
country that had no access to electricity.
And she continues to be a light for others by taking on
the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) head
for finelyf.com, an e-commerce platform that aims to go
June 2021

beyond just selling and making shoppers' lives more
comfortable.
They also aim to make shopping a meaningful experience by
letting their customers donate easily to causes they
support.
Giving what she could
Entertainment and the Arts were the two industries hard
hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many lost jobs or had no
project for an extended period of time, and Carla was no
exception.
But when people turned to her for help, instead of
keeping everything she had all to herself, she did what
she could with hesitation.
"At first, I was all out. You don't have to wait for a
calamity to help. You always help out any way you can,"
Carla begins. "You don't have to have a lot of money. You
can volunteer your time, your efforts, anything."
But because we were locked in our homes for most of 2020,
Carla found it difficult to do her usual advocacy and
welfare work without leaving the house. This was when she
turned to social media to see how she can extend help to
those who needed it.
"Around summer, I personally and directly extended
assistance to families who would reach out to me on
social media," Carla recalls "They didn't know whom to
ask help from, where to go, what to do, how to get help.
There was no information out there, so they used social
June 2021

media to ask for help."
June 2021
Carla donated groceries, medication, and other essentials
as much as she could until it got to a point where she
realized that she, too, was without an active source of
income.
"I realized I had to take care of myself and my family,
too," she admits. "So I tempered it down to make sure we
also make it through the pandemic."
For Carla, the lockdown was an equalizer. "We all needed
help. We all did not have work. We were all stuck at

home," she posits.
"There are always people who need help. You don't have to
wait for a pandemic or a calamity to help regardless of
the situation or what's going on around the world."
A voice for the voiceless
Carla credits her love for animals to her family where
every member is an animal lover. "I grew up in a
household full of pets," she says with a big smile. "We
had all sorts of pets - dogs, cats, chicken, ducks,
lizards, even rats."
While in seventh grade in OB Montessori in Greenhills,
Carla saw a booth of the Philippine Animal Welfare
Society (PAWS) and immediately signed up as a volunteer.
Although it wasn't until she was in high school and
college that she began to participate actively in the
organization's activities.
June 2021

"It captured my heart and I really felt that it was my
calling," Carla says. "When I became an actress in 2009,
it was automatic: if I had to have an advocacy, it was
animal welfare."
Carla is still a volunteer for PAWS but has reached out
to a lot of other organizations and shelters like
PAWssion Project, Philippine Animal Rescue Team (PART),
Animal Kingdom Foundation, Bohol Animal Rescue and
Kindness (BARK), and Happy Animals Club in Davao.
"For every time there's an NGO or animal shelter in need,
I would lend my voice, my time, my efforts in sharing
with the public what they need," says Carla. "During
calamities, I would constantly remind pet owners to be
responsible for their pets. I also advocate for spaying
and neutering."
Animal welfare is one of the hardest advocacies to have
because of what it takes out of the advocate. The work -
and all its ups and downs - takes so much out of a
rescuer and advocate, because the fact is, not all
animals who need help can be saved.
There are just too many.
"When I know that I am fighting for something that's
right and good, I go all out. I give, and give, and
give," Carla says thoughtfully. "But when I know that I
have reached my limit, I take a step back to see if there
is nothing else we can do or if we don't have anything
more to share."
June 2021

She continues, "I accept the fact that I have done
everything I could. We have to remind ourselves that we
are not fully in control. There are so many things that
we cannot control. It's okay to be sad, it's okay to be
tired, but at least you did your best."
Carla appreciates that when she lends her voice to the
animals, people would listen. She hopes this will be even
more helpful in promoting responsible pet ownership.
"We are celebrities. We are influencers. People look up
to us; people watch our every move," Carla says
passionately. "I might as well use my name, my voice, for
these animals."
June 2021

"If I don't speak up for them, who will? We have to
because they don't have a voice."
Change-a-Lyf: A way to help while you shop
Carla is now the CSR head of finelyf.com, an e-commerce
platform launched during the pandemic that now aims to do
more than the average e-commerce website. With
finelyf.com, you can shop and be able to help others
through Change-a-Lyf.
When you click on the Change-a-Lyf tab in the finelyf.com
menu, you will see two organizations they currently
support: PAWssion Project and SOS Children's Village.
Through finelyf.com, you can choose to donate as little
as P50 pesos (that would already make a world of
difference to those who need help) or choose to increase
the amount. It then goes to finelyf.com which will make
sure that the funds go to their respective organization.
"When I found out about PAWssion Project and spoke to
Malou Perez (founder), I thought that the organization is
thriving while also struggling," says Carla. "I see how
aggressive they are and how passionate they are. They
keep rescuing and they are responsive to the public."
"Let's help them because they work fast, they work well,
they work efficiently."
It is Carla's first time working with SOS Children's
Village, and she credits finelyf.com founder Tyffanie
Short for giving her the idea to work with the
organization. "I had never worked with an organization
June 2021

that involves children, so I thought it was a good first
time for me," says Carla.
Tyff makes sure everything she does always has a purpose
that goes beyond just making money. It should be able to
help people and organizations with their mission, dreams,
and aspirations, so the world can hopefully be a better
place for them in any way, shape, or form.
"I gave Tyff my full trust because of my belief in her,"
says Carla. "I have met so many businessmen and women who
focus a lot on profit and monetization. Tyff always
thinks about purpose and I like that a lot. It's the
first time I have met a businesswoman with such a
vision."
This 2021, Carla hopes to add more organizations to
support under Change-a-Lyf. She also hopes that
finelyf.com will be even more successful so that they can
make a bigger impact with their CSR projects.
"I plan to contribute more, to serve more, to know the
rest of the team better. We hope to add more
organizations to support," Carla says excitedly. "We hope
that the public will know us more so that we'll have more
traffic, more clients, more business partners, and more
causes to support."
-------------------
If you wish to donate at Change-a-Lyf, register at
finelyf.com, click the Change-a-Lyf tab and donate. You
can also shop for items for the organizations they
support and they will deliver it straight to them.
June 2021

Women in Sports: From
behind the spotlight
SPORTS
Filipina women are badass, that's beyond doubt.
We all know that we do have A LOT of women athletes who
are doing their best in their chosen field - however,
most of us do not know that there are equally badass
women who work behind where the action is happening. They
are those women who either ensure that the athletes are
given proper training and nutrition or tell the story of
the athletes in every journey that they take in
representing the flag. All the more, these women are the
epitome of breaking barriers and stereotypes that the
sporting industry is a world limited to men.
June 2021
by Xy-Zha Cabanlong

There are a lot of women who are also at their A-game the
same way as the athletes do and we are fortunate to be
able to have the chance to talk to three of them:
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Deputy Secretary-
General and Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association President,
Karen Tanchanco-Caballero; Sports Broadcaster, Cesca
Litton-Kalaw; and Philippine Women's National Football
team insider; Mia Montayre. All three of them are working
behind the scenes and giving the kind of support to the
athletes more than a fan does.
KAREN TANCHANCO-CABALLERO; PHILIPPINE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL AND PRESIDENT, PILIPINAS SEPAK
TAKRAW ASSOCIATION
Karen's influence in sports started out through her
Father who exposed her to the industry.
"It was something very familiar to me as a child plus I
think I have too much energy. That's why my parents got
me into sports really early and I found myself there,"
she said.
Karen started out as an athlete; she was in fact an
Archer. But after her prime in representing the country,
she made her way in working behind the scenes and became
one of the country's female sports leaders. She has
always been an advocate of women being involved in
sports, encouraging female athletes to be involved as
sports leaders after their prime years in competing for
the country. She has always believed that no one
understands an athlete better than a fellow athlete that
is why it had been a battle cry for her to hone them to
June 2021
SPORTS

not just stop at being an athlete but also learn to
become leaders in their respective discipline.
While Karen admits that it is still challenging for women
to be in sports, she also dismisses the thought that
women cannot equally lead in the industry - as she is an
epitome of it.
June 2021
SPORTS
"The minute that we accept that it is a boys club is the
minute we are defeating our advocacy. It's hard, di ba
nga naging cliche na yung breaking the glass ceiling and
until now, it's not even broken. Even for women in
sports media, we're still breaking, pinupukpok pa rin
natin. But the minute we accepts that, "ah, pang boy's
club lang yan!" - it's hard, it's still challenging for a
lot of us. Not just for the athletes, the coaches,
leadership, even for women in sports media. But it is up
to us if we give up. So, for me, as long as there are
emerging leaders who would listen to me, leaders would
come around. But it's still hard breaking the stereotype,

when we accept that it's the stereotype all the more that
it will happen so, let's not accept that."
Despite the challenge, Karen thinks that her job as a
sports leader is also empowering her as a woman. Other
leaders, especially the men continue to doubt her
capabilities but the moment that she's able to earn their
respect, she knows that it is also empowerment. The fact
that she can assert the standards that sports leaders
must follow in policy-building, she knows that it is
another point for women to excel in this side of the
sports industry. These notions of empowerment do not only
imply her being a sports leader, though, as all of these
things also apply in life in general.
"The moment that I actually keep on asking questions even
if it makes people uncomfortable. I always say, "when in
doubt, doubt." So, I tend to ask a lot of questions, and
I know these questions sometimes akala lang nila for the
sake of asking questions. But no, I keep asking because
one, likely I'm not comfortable; two, I want to learn.
So, these things, me being comfortable in my own skin to
ask questions especially if it doesn't feel right and it
doesn't make me comfortable, that makes me feel
empowered. Because I think, some women, pag binigyan na
lang tayo, tatanggapin natin, hindi dapat! You cannot
shove it down my throat - I will ask you, why you're
asking me to do it? Maybe if I agree with you, I'll do
it, but if I don't, I'm not on board. So, that's
empowerment for me - the power of asking, not just
questions but asking what you think you deserve. That's
empowerment."
June 2021
SPORTS

CESCA LITTON-KALAW, SPORTS BROADCASTER
Cesca is probably one of the popular names in the sports
media industry, who started out as a Courtside Reporter
for the San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA in the early
2000s. From then on, she has covered mostly basketball
events, she had been an anchor for CNN Philippines and
was also a regular at the PBA doing the halftime show.
She has had a couple of once-in-a-lifetime experiences
covering sports events, including meeting NBA legends;
Larry Bird and Dennis Rodman, and playing alongside
football legend; David Beckham to name a few.
June 2021
SPORTS
Beyond all that, Cesca started to love sports as a kid
through the influence of her father, who has been very
supportive of her passion for the outdoors and fun
activities. She started out taking ballet classes but
later realized that she's not the ballerina-type so
switched to gymnastics, then joined the Girl Scouts and
enjoyed camping trips as a kid. Cesca, later on, joined
the football varsity team of her school.

June 2021
SPORTS
"I really can't imagine my life without doing anything -
my brother used to join like the summer league basketball
in the village so I would always watch him play. That's
my introduction to basketball but all the technical side,
I pretty much learned all of that when I was already in
college. I never played the sport, though. I was terrible
at basketball. Football, I can play with you but
basketball, no."
Cesca has been in the sports media industry for about 19
years already and with almost 2 decades of experience,
she still gets amazed at the new sports that she gets to
cover. Just like during the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games held here in the Philippines where she was tasked
to cover events that she has not covered before.
"Every sport which I was assigned to cover during the SEA
Games, thankfully we got a medal. So, that was really
exciting for me. I got to cover the Ice Skating
competition in Megamall, I think we got a couple of
silvers in the men's and women's division and then I get
to cover 3 on 3 (basketball), we won gold in both men's
and women's division and I also covered E-Sports Finals.
That finish, I remember being in Fil-Oil (San Juan Arena)
like 1 or 2 in the morning because it ended so late -
that was my first coverage of E-Sports and I have no idea
what I was getting myself into. I did not realize how
massive the fanbase was, I was watching in the giant
screen in front of me and behind me as a sea of Filipinos
just screaming for the Philippine team and I was just
amazed by that."
More than experiencing the intensity and the beauty of

June 2021
SPORTS
those games, Cesca sees the current dominance of women in
sports as a clear epitome of dismissing the stereotypes
that sports is merely a man's world.
"Obviously, there is an initial hurdle that we already
know that sports are such a male-dominated industry but
you know, there is so much space for women and even for
athletes themselves. Even in basketball, our women's
basketball team Jack Animam, Eve Bernardino - these women
are incredible. Hidilyn Diaz, our weightlifting pride and
hoy, I do feel that there is a shift, somewhat in a
positive way and I hope the shift continues because women
are hopefully no longer put out there to just cover the
soft pieces. There are so many incredible talents out
there - on the court, on the pitch, and off. So
hopefully, we see more women in this field."
Cesca feels more empowered at the thought that she was
able to put off every report that she's asked to do.
"I am my worst critic. I tend to put myself down a lot
when I know I've had a bad day at work, when I know that
the report isn't as good as it's supposed to be, or just
knowing that I could've done better. But, at the end of
the day, when I see how the entire production comes
together to bring the best possible show to the fans, to
the sports fans - because let's be real here, sports fans
are vicious - they know their teams, they know their
players, they know their sports, and sometimes, you can't
make everyone happy. But if you just know how to put your
heart and soul into whatever it is that you're doing and
if you know and you're able to acknowledge that there is
room for improvement and you actually work on improving

June 2021
SPORTS
yourself, then I can at least say that I left it all out
there with everything that I could. In my head, there's
always a notion that you're only as good as your last
game, you're only as good as your last coverage. Like, if
this is the last report that I will ever do on-air, is it
good enough? Will people remember me for this? Did I tell
the right story? Did I give justice to the hard work that
this particular athlete has put in, or coaching staff, or
whatever?"
MIA MONTAYRE, PHILIPPINE WOMEN'S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
INSIDER
In the Philippine football scene, there are only a few
women photographers who also doubles as sportswriters
that are proactive in covering the games in the venue and
Mia is one of them. However, she stands out from everyone
because Mia does not only focus on men's football, but
she is also an insider for women's football. She is part
of Pinay Futbol, who is very active on social media when
it comes to promoting women's football in the Philippines
and has been an avenue for many to become aware of our
women's national team and how they are faring in the
world rankings (our women's football team are ranked
higher than their male counterparts, by the way). During
the course of the pandemic, Pinay Futbol has also been
the brainchild of an online show called Grow Her Game,
which are hosted by two former women's national team
players; Natasha Alquiros and Belay Fernando.
Just like most of the football writers in the country,
Mia also started as a fan, but she was first into
following the Japanese women's football team because of

June 2021
SPORTS
their monumental feat against the US women's football
team at the Women's World Cup in Germany. She also
started to grow curiosity about our very own women's team
because of that. It tickled her curiosity all the more
about the local football scene when the Azkals did their
own giant-slaying feat of defeating the then-defending
champions; Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup group stages that
paved the way for what is now known to be the "Miracle in
Hanoi". Mia was given the opportunity to meet her
Japanese football idol; Homare Sawa, as she was one of
the Hall of Famer awardee during the 2014 AFC Awards held
here in Manila, that was also attended by the then-FIFA
President; Sepp Blatter and the Asian Football
Confederation (AFC) President; Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim
Al-Khalifa.

June 2021
SPORTS
Just like Karen and Cesca, Mia has had her humble
beginnings loving sports as a child. She's always the
sporty one, trying every sport that she can - from
basketball, futsal, and football. Not only that, but Mia
is also an avid fan of tennis, particularly Roger
Federer. From loving football, she has also grown her
fondness for photography that opened doors of opportunity
for her to be in sports media as a photographer and a
writer. From merely just a hobby, Mia turned that passion
into a profession - and in that profession, she was able
to stand out as an insider for the Malditas.
She would always claim that one high point of her career
in sports media is when she was able to go to Tajikistan,
out of her own pocket, just to cover the Malditas in
their competition.
"Muntik pa akong ma-deport when I was in China because of
visa issued and the train going to Tajikistan is leaving
in about fifteen minutes. Grabe yung habol ko talaga when
I was finally allowed to go through," she recalls.
Other than the challenge of going through immigration for
her efforts to cover the Philippine women's team,
breaking the stigma that sports are a world that is not
designed for women is something that Mia also wants to
dismiss. She points out that there are sports like
Tennis, that regardless of which gender made an enormous
victory in a certain competition, is well celebrated.
"Every now and then, I think about it as parang stigma.
The best example is tennis, I mean if they can do it, why
not other sports, right? With team sports, I think the

June 2021
SPORTS
closest one to tennis in regards to fair coverage is
football - because it is the world's most popular sport
to begin with. The US and Japanese women's football teams
did so much to promote women's football through their
feat in the continental and world levels. The World cup
also makes things interesting, too, especially in a fan's
perspective," Mia explains. "In the media perspective, we
can treat them equally regardless of the sport that we
cover. I love that some firms embrace women in sports
media on their pool and give them equal opportunity. I
believe that it should be a part of the objective every
media firm out there, whether sports or not to give equal
opportunity for both men and women to excel in this
field."
For Mia, dismissing the stereotypes in the sports
industry does not only equate to having equal
opportunities for women but it also imply empowerment.
She thinks that the moment a woman excels in her craft in
sports - whether as an athlete or someone working behind
the scenes, that's already empowerment.
"I think, sa ngayon, nakaktuwa yung feeling na you are in
a pool of a team full of men and then you're the only
girl. It feels as if you do have a responsibility. It's
kike you're there to conquer your fears that us, women
can't do more. You feel that you have to do well to
represent women well and when you actually do well,
that's where empowerment comes in. When we do well in our
field, it is an epitome that us, women can do what men
can do, that we can do just as good as them."
Karen, Cesca and Mia all believe that women have so much

June 2021
SPORTS
space in the sports industry, not only as an athlete, but
as sports leaders, broadcasters, and insiders. There is
so much promise for women in this industry that those who
want to try and venture into a career in this field
should just go for it.
"Just do it. You have to believe in yourself that you can
do it. Find fulfillment in telling a good story of an
athlete - if I can do it, so can you. If I can do it, I
know every woman who wants to be in sports media can do
it," Mia encourages.
"I will be the first to welcome you in the industry but
if you think that this is just a space for men, it's not.
I cannot wait for the day where it's no longer uncommon
to see an all-female panel - we've done that in the
Pilipinas Super Liga (PSL) already, hopefully, someday,
we could see it in other sports. But yeah, there is a lot
of space for us [here]," Cesca adds.
In parting, Karen also reminded women to not only aim for
pursuing their passion but to also take good care of
themselves first - a lesson that the pandemic and a
massive typhoon had taught her.
"Nobody takes care of ourselves but ourselves. We go back
to the basics that nobody takes care of me but I and we
don't need a Knight in shining armor. I got it! We take
care of ourselves first and then, that's the time we look
after other people. I think we, women always tend to
forget that. I admit that I forget about that because
women are real nurturers."

These women definitely know how to make their parents
proud by setting an example that women can do what men
can do in an industry that they obviously dominate. Karen
proved that women can be sports leaders, while Cesca and
Mia are perfect examples that women can do more in sports
media.
These are just three of the many success stories in the
diverse world of sports. They have been giving the best
that they could from behind what we see in the games.
They too, feel the same (or maybe greater) pressure as
the athletes who are competing. In a way, these women
also raise the flag of our country through their chosen
crafts and they prove to be good at it.
A big, snappy salute goes out to Karen, Mia, Cesca, and
all the wonderful women out there who are showing the
world that we can definitely stand out, stand proud, and
excel in whatever field we choose to be in.
May these stories shared by Karen, Mia, and Cesca be a
source of inspiration, motivation, and empowerment for
all women out there to move away from their comfort
zones, unleash their passion, and be greater than what
they believe that they can!
June 2021
SPORTS

TRAVEL
Imagine being with your boo while dipping into your own
hot spring right at the comfort of your own casita
surrounded by nature.
Say no more!
Just one and a half hours away from the city, Lotuspod
Bed and Breakfast offers just that.
Hidden within Brgy. Puypuy, Bay, Laguna lies a respite
for those seeking to relax and share quality time with
their special someone.
The Perfect Hideaway
June 2021
by Janina Sanchez-Ines

What's more, you can be your own influencer because
everything in the property is Instagram-worthy!
Once you enter, you will be chauffeured on a golf cart
going to your own private casita.
Social distancing is a given because Lotuspod only
accepts a limited number of guests and there are only
eight casitas within the whole compound.
June 2021
TRAVEL

Each casita has a private entrance and a small garden
will welcome you as you head on to your room.
The casita is furnished with a king-sized bed - perfect
for cuddles!
It also includes an ensuite bathroom that leads up to
your personal open-air hot spring dipping tub - allowing
you to enjoy a nice, warm soak in the comfort of your
casita.
You also have your own little terrace perfect for morning
coffee or tea (which are also included) while enjoying
the lush green property plus an unobstructed view of
Mount Makiling.
But wait, we are just getting started.
Aside from your very own casita, you also gain access to
their other facilities like the pool complex with a bar
and the hot spring dipping pools outside the casitas.
However, the other facilities in the property are
temporarily unavailable due to certain government
restrictions.
These facilities are:
The zipline allows you to have a bird's eye view of their
pond full of beautiful lotus flowers in full bloom.
The Narra Spa where one can indulge in their signature
Lotuspod massage or take a dip at their spa pool which is
June 2021
TRAVEL

exclusive for guests.
June 2021
TRAVEL
As well as the playground, tree house, and trampoline for
kids.
Lotuspod said guests can enjoy these amenities again once
the restrictions are lifted.
To make guests even more comfortable, each stay includes
breakfast, snack, and dinner for two.

You may choose from their selection of Filipino classics
and comfort food. The food is cooked to order and made
only with the freshest ingredients - some even locally
grown from their very own organic farm.
June 2021
TRAVEL
The lounging area, aptly named "Hardin ng mga Tala" is
perfect for those who want to enjoy a romantic dinner
under the stars.
There are canopy gardens for lazy afternoons - where you

can just lay on their low-slung bamboo day beds.
The "Molave" also serves as a good lounging area too as
it sits right on top of the Lotus pond in perfect view of
the flowers.
June 2021
TRAVEL
For those seeking more adventure, you may also inquire
about day tours from them to visit some of the nearby
sites like the "Aliw" and "Majayjay" Falls, Pueblo El
Salvador, and other sites in the area.

June 2021
TRAVEL
Come visit this hidden gem in Laguna and keep the romance
alive!
---------------------
Know more about Lotuspod Bed and Breakfast through their
website:
www.lotuspodbedandbreakfast.com
or visit their Facebook page:
facebook.com/lotuspodbnb

SELF-HELP
Self-love is the best kind of love, they say.
For some, this thought does not make sense until a major
setback forces them to choose themselves over anything
else that this world can offer. It may be quite a
challenge, in the beginning, leaving you wondering why
this has to happen, why it has to be you.
Fret not, the world is not as harsh as how you think it
is because it also gives you a reason to see how self-
love can be so amazing. In fact, the world even loves you
that much that it has suggestions on how you can enjoy
self-love:
Ways to enjoy Self-Love
June 2021
By: Xy-Zha Cabanlong

June 2021
SELF-HELP
PLAN A SOLO TRIP TO A PLACE THAT YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN
BEFORE
One of the best ways to enjoy self-love is when you
travel to an unfamiliar place where you get to discover
not just that place but yourself as well. This sounds
quite like the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" but it is what it
is. Grab that laptop, search for that place where you've
always wanted to go, and plan on that trip. When the
travel restrictions start to ease up, and the time
permits, go and book that trip!
Once you're there, try their local dish, learn about
their culture, be in the know-how on their mode of
transportation, and get to know their locals! It may also

June 2021
SELF-HELP
be good to try and learn a bit of their local dialect or
language (the basic ones, at least), adapt with the
locals, if you must. Learn some skill from them, like how
to cook a certain dish that the place is famous for or
maybe a skill or a craft that they are known for. In
short, immerse yourself on that place! In such way,
you're not just learning a thing or two about that
specific place but you are learning something for
yourself as well.
MEDITATE
"We learn to authentically love - everyone - including
ourselves," writes an article in huffpost.com, published

in June 2016, talking about how meditation can be good
practice for self-love.
Meditation's benefit is not just for the body as it helps
you relax, it also gives you the chance during your quiet
time to learn to better understand the situation you are
currently into, to forgive yourself and the people that
afflicted you, and to help yourself to look forward to
better things that would come when you move forward from
whatever caused you massive pain and tons of tears.
June 2021
SELF-HELP
FOCUS ON GETTING FIT (AND FAB)
Cliche as it may sound but all those who have been
through a heartbreak result to working out and getting
themselves fit not only to maintain an active lifestyle
but also to help make them feel good about themselves.
Even fitness coaches themselves could attest to that -
their trainees mostly involved themselves to fitness

because they want to get over something that hurt them in
the past.
This is where the saying, "turn your heartache into
something that will make you stronger" is best applied.
Think of the heartbreak each time you're asked to do 10
deadlifts or each time you're asked to do 30 burpees so
that it can unleash your inner strength. Scream at the
top of your lungs when you're asked to run 5 kilometers
without stopping or walking and it will make you feel
good after. After all, fitness and other activities that
involve moving those lazy bones help release our body's
natural "happy hormones."
June 2021
SELF-HELP
LEARN NEW THINGS
Maybe it's high time for you to work on learning
something new. Remember that time when you told yourself

that you want to learn a new language? Or when you told
one of your friends that you want to try a new sport?
Maybe you were once curious about learning about how
urban gardening works, or how to sew or bake and
eventually turn it into a small business - this is your
chance! Make use of your time alone to learn things that
will ignite a new hobby.
Learning something new also means adding a new skill or
an achievement under your name, and it could be another
item to add to your LinkedIn account or on your CV when
you opt for career advancement. Go ahead, enroll in that
online crash course that you've always been aiming to
take, learn to live your life to the fullest!
June 2021
SELF-HELP
EXPLORE YOUR SEXUALITY
Being literally "alone" does not equate to you being
lonely. It does not also mean that you cannot explore

your own sexuality. Exploring yourself is not taboo, it
is one of the most amazing things that you can to express
self-love.
Don't be afraid to prepare that bubble bath, pour that
wine, and light that soy candle for your perfect "me time
bath" to get you in the mood. Self-pleasure may not sound
good to some, but hey, remember - different strokes for
different folks so do something that's going to make you
happy! Just like in keeping yourself fit, self-pleasure
also helps release your body's happy hormones that can
make you feel good after.
The fact that there are pop-up adult shops in some areas
in the Metro and that there are also a handful of adult
toy sellers online only goes to show that slowly, the
idea of being liberated and open about your sexuality is
being accepted in this originally conservative society.
It should no longer be shameful in this modern era to
walk into an adult shop and buy that dildo that you're
always curious about. If you mean to purchase items that
will give you that extra kink privately, then the
internet is the solution for you as online shops are
shipping items in full confidentiality. Do not hesitate
to explore yourself before someone else does that for you
because it is always best to know yourself more than
anybody else. Never let this society dictate your limit
in exploring yourself. That's your body, your own rules
matter.
Eventually, you don't have to feel so bitter while
watching those romantic movies on Netflix or seeing
couples holding hands while walking on the streets
June 2021
SELF-HELP

because you finally feel that you're enough for yourself
when you get used to doing these suggestions listed
above. Once you're very settled in enjoying your time
alone, everything else will follow - who knows, there
might be someone out there loving you the way you love
yourself and would make you feel worth loving, too!
June 2021
SELF-HELP
FineLyf has its own online adult shop that allows you to
redefine playtime. Check out LyfIntimate for items that
you might want to use in your self-exploration.

Uplyfted eMagazine June 2021

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