It was that time of the year when I needed to get away briefly from the city.

Motoring down south, I grabbed the opportunity to visit my good friend Nina Malvar’s newest baby, the Kartini Spa Asia at the Alabang Town Center (ATC). This is the second Kartini Spa location in the bustling south metropolis, built on the success of the first Kartini Spa in BF Homes Paranaque. A few months ago, Nina and I had just been throwing ideas to each other on how she would convert her garden/landcape company at the ATC into a spa oasis. I was very much surprised and pleased with what she had created in such a short span of time!

Tucked amidst the sprawling KARTINI landscaped gardens, thriving greenery, vibrant flora and cascading waterfalls, Kartini Spa invites one to discover a pathway to inner peace and reflection. As you step into the gardens of KARTINI at ATC, you are surrounded by the exotic and poetic beauty of nature. From the serene natural backdrop to the elegant and exotic mood of the spa lobby and interiors and the skill of its therapists, the spa holds true to its promise of uplifting the spirit and awakening the senses.

The ambience is upmarket and classy, yet the costs of the treatments are very affordable. The treatment menu lists a range of massage therapies and foot pampering rituals which make use of indigenous ingredients as well as the finest essential oils.

The Kartini signature massage uses a combination of Balinese gentle long strokes and the invigorating strokes typical of Swedish, Shiatsu and Thai massage to relax tensed muscles and to attain inner glow and harmony. The treatment for 45 minutes costs Pesos 495.

The Philippine ‘Hilot’, the most famous in traditional Filipino healing, works on muscles and nerve pathways to encourage blood circulation and to aid in the removal of toxins. The 60 minute treatment costs Pesos 595.

The Foot Reflexology treatment for 45 minutes costs Pesos 495. The foot massage
techniques are designed to restore the natural energy flow around the body using finger-point pressure on the reflex zones on the soles of the feet, thereby emitting powerful energies that promote a cleansing and healing effect.
The Foot Spa Bliss for 30 minutes costing Pesos 295 consists of a foot scrub and a relaxing foot massage which detoxify the system and loosen the muscles resulting in a sense of deep relaxation.

I tried out their version of the Hilot and must say that it is one of the best ones I have experienced so far. Plus, the prices are really affordable! It’s just too bad that this spa is too far away from my Quezon City home. The people from the south are so blessed to have this new spa to hie to whenever they feel like having a good rubdown amidst a beautiful garden.

KARTINI’s therapists are all trained, graduates of a TESDA training program in San Pedro Laguna that was initiated by its Mayor Calixto R. Cataquiz. This is part of Nina’s CSR for her business. She helps by providing practicum and employment to the new graduates. After the therapists graduate from TESDA, they do internship at KARTINI, and if they are good enough, they get hired.

Kartini Spa is ideal for people who like nature to be close at hand or for those who just need to slow down and are looking for a quiet and peaceful natural spa experience. The venue is also well suited for couples, group of friends and families who desire some hours of pampering and for corporate groups who need a much deserved break and wanting to build team spirit through bonding and relaxation.

And after a fanstatic treatment, all you want to do is just laze about Kartini’s beautiful gardens, taking in the view while sipping your tea. Tranquil moments abound here in this oasis close to the city.

Curious about KARTINI? Call 8074356, 8077579 or 09178161368 for reservations or log into their website at www.kartinispa.com

Hmmm. This L.A. Times headline immediately caught my eye.
Is this true for you?

I realize that many questions and issues concerning career, marriage and relationships in general crop up at midlife. It’s obviously that time in your life when you assess where you are and where you want to go. When you evaluate relationships and when circumstances arise that result in the pruning of such relationships, resulting sometimes in the end of some friendships and the beginning of new ones.

Maybe it’s all the havoc caused by confronting these issues that create the anxiety? I have been spending quite a lot of time with women in the age 42 to 45 category and I find that these situations I have posed above are universal. I look at my own mid-life journey and find that I have had to settle issues in all these areas over the last three to four years. Little by little, the road ahead has become clearer. Perhaps the challenges faced by 40somethings is what causes the unhappiness.

However, the article also says that “…midlife misery is not inevitable. In fact, his research shows that when such factors as income and marital status are included in the calculations, midlife is the happiest stage of life.” Having gone through quite a lot these last four years, I can tell you that the road is long and can pose many twists and turns but yes, happiness, or rather, contentment can be found.

Sometimes, you just really need to journey, often to the center of yourself, to find that everything you’ve ever needed has been there all along. God prunes us, to make us better. That is his way of disciplining us so that the second half of life becomes an even more productive and peaceful one. More than ever, if there is one piece of advice I give to other midlifers I meet, it is this — develop a deeper spiritual life and a closer relationship with Jesus Christ because only he can lead you in the right direction. Hand over the rest of your life to him and I can guarantee you that though the road ahead will still have it’s requisite hills and valleys, true joy and contentment is just a prayer away - whether you are at midlife or not.

Read the L.A. Times article here.

Proudly Pinay Monique Lhullier showed off her 2008 Fall Collectin at the New York Fashion Week yesterday. Simply elegant and lovely pieces that one can proudly wear here in Manila or any part of the globe. I wonder how many Hollywood stars will be wearing Lhullier come Oscar night on February 24, 2008?

Take a look at some of her designs for Fall 2008 and drool. You have to have the figure, the arms, and tha panache to carry these lovelies off.

I love the new Badgley Mischka collection as well. Sleek, elegant and fab personified. The look is red-carpet and glamorous - rhinestones, sweeping trains and cleavage (a reasonable amount of it…)

Green, seems to be the color of their Fall season collection. I would definitely wear this to a formal event…

Now, try wearing this Carolina Herrera creation on a crowded Manila street…

Photos from the New York Times

Since we are on the subject of eggs…

I thought these babies were such a beauty and a novelty. A nice way of bringing the outdoors inside the confines of your home and office. Of course I can almost hear some cynics say, “Eh di itanim mo na lang sa paso!” (Why not just plant it in a pot!)Okay, yes, I agree, but it wouldn’t come out as aesthetically appealing. And after a while, if you intend to keep these babies thriving, you would have to plant them in a pot anyway.

I want some MINT…

The precious, little eggling looks and feels like an extra large egg, but crack its top and discover a garden ready to grow! Cultivation is easy — seeds are already sown into eggling’s fortified peat mixture, just crack its top (by tapping on it with a spoon), water and place in bright spot. Plants grow for up to five months in the eggling, after which it can be planted directly in soil.

Malibu Enterprise which sells these egglings say that they are extremely popular in Japan where it is hand made of white porous ceramic, the eggling (54mm x 47.5mm) comes with a terra cotta tray and an extra seed pack to insure success. Nine egglings are available: herbs (basil, mint, thyme, Italian parsley), flowers (phlox, petunia) and special edition (Lavender de Provence, Wild Strawberry, Spicy Red Pepper). In its handsome gift box, the eggling makes a clever and delightful gift for the chef, gardener or anyone who loves the cute and curious.

And if egglings aren’t your type, this company sells a unique concept called the Matchstick Garden which has everything you need to grow an herb or flower garden in a cute canvas tote!

The Matchstick Sampler includes:
- Mixed Herb and Wildflower Matchstick Gardens (2)
- 4 Mini-Pots w/ Drainers (choose from brown, green or cream)
- Handy reusable canvas tote

It’s a great way to teach kids about growing a garden.
For more products like these, visit Eggling’s site here.

Huwaaat?!?

Yes, today I became a grandmother. But before you get any wild, and crazy ideas. I’d like you to meet Pax and Fiero — short for Juan Pablo Xavier and Fernando Santiago Emmanuel…

Aren’t they just adorable?

My bald grandsons are for P’s project in school — a lesson on parenting for her morality class in her Christian Living subject. The girls are supposed to parent the eggs for the next ten days. They have to take them everywhere and the only time they are allowed to loeave them at home will be on Saturday, during prom night. Napaka-timely ha!

I think it’s a cute idea actually. P was sharing that one egg died already this afternoon when its mother dropped it. Naturally, bagsak ang grade niya for the project. And as for the father to the eggs, the girls also have to ask an actual person if they will agree to act as daddy to their eggs

Meet the other babies…

This is Ariana

And these are the Star Wars boys, Lucas Anakin and Nathan James

Finally, the Bible boys, Noah and David (who was born myopic)

All together now on their mommies lunchtable!