Lifestyle

There aren’t many experiences that compare to having sex with your spouse when it’s done well and with caution. Yet, due to the many myths and inaccuracies surrounding the subject, many couples have a tendency to be cautious in their approach, which probably lowers the quality of their sex life.

For starters, many people are too hesitant or self-conscious to engage in more daring activities with their partner because they are unsure of what constitutes “too much” or “safe enough.”

Are dotted or glow-in-the-dark condoms safe to use? When is it okay to add sex toys and devices into the mix? Will your partner welcome the idea of using a lubricant? These are examples of often-unanswered questions that can lead to more inhibitions, which in turn cause you to play it safe for the sake of, well, being safe.

When it comes to safe sex, there’s no such thing as too safe. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make room for new ideas and experiences that can help invigorate your sex life. Here are some things you can do to switch it up in bed without crossing any lines:

Begin your list of “yeses”, “noes”, and “maybes”.

The first step to spicing things up is to identify the factors that will help pique your partner’s interest. Separately, write down two things: What you want to change and retain about your sex life, and what you’re willing and unwilling to do in bed. Use your respective lists as an opportunity to meet in the middle and decide on items that match up.

Create a joint fantasy with your partner.

Build anticipation by creating a sexual fantasy that you and your partner can get on board with. Incorporate details that will serve your needs and wants, but be receptive to their ideas as well. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown scenario; a joint fantasy can start with something as simple as agreeing on where to do it or adding something minute to an otherwise established routine.

Add or remove sensory experiences.
Sometimes, merely pleasuring the senses makes all the difference in bed. Other than giving your partner what they want to see and hear, give their sense of touch (fabrics like silk and leather), smell (aromatic scents from candles and oils), and taste (fruit-flavored condoms) a treat as well.

Explore products that can make sex more exciting.

Safe sex doesn’t mean you’re limited to what you can do during sex. In fact, there are now contraceptives that can even help heighten the pleasure a couple feels during lovemaking. PREMIERE Condoms, for one, offer different variants that can certainly elevate the experience. Here are some examples:

• Ultra Thin
  An ultra thin condom for a more sensitive feel.

• Dotted
  Condoms with raised pleasure dots that provide an intense experience.

• Air
  Soft, smooth, and super thin condoms that imitate a bare-skin contact.

• Nice & Tight
  Lubricated with SENSITIGHT^R that helps create a tightening effect on women.

• Cruise Control
  Condoms with a special additive to help prolong performance.

• Glow
  Glow-in-the-dark condoms to light up your night.

• Earthquake
  Features a vibrating O-ring for an “earth-shattering” experience.

• Cool Watermelon
  Condoms that give a fresh watermelon taste

A product like EZ Lubricating Jelly, a water-based, condom-friendly lubricant that imparts the sensation of natural lubrication, is another suggestion that may be made. You can also browse for intimacy-related toys, gadgets, and other items that will go well with your shared desires.

Whatever you two decide to do, put safety and enjoyment first. It only takes one conversation to decide how you want the situation to develop from here. You might even share this information with your partner!

Teaching is more than just a job or a career; it is also a vocation and a life purpose.

Millions of Filipino instructors who act as pupils’ second mothers are proof of this day and night. Rosalie Macaspac, a former SM scholar who decided to work in special education, is one of them (SPED).

Life’s work

It’s a less common path to choose to become a teacher, and especially to take SPED. Only 4,000 of the more than 800,000 public school teachers are in SPED, and Rosalie is one of the few who chose the path. The SM scholar alumna has made it her life’s work to instruct SPED pupils for the past 21 years. She spoke out for the rights of deaf students because she wanted to empower and give special kids a voice.

She obtained doctoral degrees in special education and Filipino sign language at the Philippine National University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, respectively, with a great deal of commitment and drive to have the necessary skills for her students.

She is currently a teacher at the only government-run school for the deaf in the nation, the Philippine School for the Deaf in Pasay. She oversaw the deaf students’ training program for numeracy skills here.

Embedding grit, greatness

Her journey to becoming an educator was not easy. Her parents separated when she was three years old, and her mother became the breadwinner.

“In the early years of my life as a three year old, awareness of how hard life is became a part of my growing up. I grew up with a mindset that whatever happens, I will not abandon my studies. Sensing my determination, my mother earned a living by washing and ironing clothes of our neighbors. I came to realize my mom had to wash and press thousands and thousands of clothes so I could finish my studies. But I did not pity myself. Instead, I kept a strong determination to battle on and promised my mother that she will not grow old and die as a laundry woman,” she said.

The weight on their shoulder became heavier when her mother became bedridden for half a year. Instead of slowing her down, it did the opposite. She continued her studies with much determination. With the help of her uncle, the Missionaries of Charity, and the puto bigas she sold, they could get by.

She finished primary school with good grades, and was a consistent honor student in high school, despite having one centavo allowance and rice and coffee as meals. With good standing, she had her mind set on her next goal: going to college.

“Giving up or surrendering wasn’t in my vocabulary. The strong heart of my mother was passed on to me as she was my inspiration to strive to get us out of the predicament we were in,” she stressed.

“When I was in fourth year high school, I was deep in thought of what to do to support my college education.  Then, God in all His goodness, stepped in again. The Guidance Office in our school announced that the SM Foundation was offering scholarships for qualified students. I knew at that very moment that He was with me. All I had to do is to apply for the scholarship,” she recalled.

She vividly remembers sending her SM College Scholarship program application at the Customer Service of the SM in Quiapo and how she learned on May 9, 1995 that she would be interviewed for the scholarship in room 214 of the MSE Bldg. The three-digit number has since become unforgettable for her. By June 1995, Macaspac was among the SM scholars who had started their college education under the scholarship program.

According to her, the scholarship helped her become a well-rounded individual. It was the key to the realization of her dreams and paved the way to success. The activities provided by SM Foundation, such as the scholars’ assembly, the orientation, leadership training, sports fest and annual retreat, were very memorable for her.

“Looking back, the retreats, monthly meetings and being able to work in SM as an employee, followed up by our project director boosted my self-esteem and opened my world to service,” she said.

Before teaching, she first worked as a Merchandise and Planning Control-Clerk at the SM Head Office, which was then located in Calle Echague, Manila. She was hired immediately after college.

Working in DepEd has always been her dream, and she is proud of where she is today: “Since day one of my college days, I aimed to be a public-school teacher. I am happy with my work now as a High School Teacher for Deaf learners. I am so privileged that I am in this community and my heart is entwined with my students.” 

“I am not ashamed to tell my colleagues that I had a humble beginning and I thank SM Foundation for putting me where I am now. I owe these blessings to SM, Henry “Tatang” Sy, SM Foundation, Ma’am Nilda Bernaldez, and my fellow SM-Scholars, most especially, my mother. They are all the instruments to why I chose to give back to a special community and dedicate my life to being an effective SPED teacher.”

The basis of a life well lived is stability. People may grow, explore other areas of life, and contribute to the well-being of the community when their basic needs are met.

Young people who want to succeed seize the opportunity to stand on firm ground, especially those from low-income households. They use it as a place where they can plant the seeds of their hopes and dreams.

Jonnah Jane Sacamay, a former SM scholar who grew in an environment where stability seemed to be unknown territory, is one example of this. Back in the day, flower cultivation was the main source of income for Jonnah’s family. This forced them to tread carefully because the market for flowers fluctuate seasonally, and they were often impacted by unusual weather changes.

But while they had journeyed through life with uncertainty, they had always planted in her mind the power of education.

“Given that the nature of farming is very seasonal, our income is not stable. Aside from augmenting our daily needs, we also had to ensure that my education is secured,” Jonnah recalled. 

Holding on to the power of education

And so, to help her family, she studied hard in grade school as soon as she learned about others who had the opportunity to pursue college through the SM College Scholarship Program. With her whole heart dedicated to learning and her eyes set on the SM scholarship, she finished high school as the class valedictorian. Once the forms were available, she immediately processed her application at the SM Store in Cebu.

“I was informed that I got accepted as an SM Scholar. From then on, a huge weight was lifted off my parents’ shoulders. I could pursue my chosen degree in my chosen university,” she added.

Through the scholarship offered by the SM group through SM Foundation, she was able to focus on the development of her skills and knowledge not only in accountancy but especially in life. She became a Magna Cum Laude graduate of BS Accountancy at the University of San Carlos.

“The SM Scholarship helped me reach my dream of becoming a CPA, and this opened doors for me, enabling me to land a job that empowered me to help my family,” she said. 

“My experience in retail has given me wide knowledge in different areas. With this, I always make sure that my family makes informed decisions in all aspects of life. One thing that has become a tradition among SM Cebu scholars during my time was to have an outreach program. In our own way, we were able to pay forward the help that we received from SM. It was a fulfilling experience that we could share our blessings in our own little way,” she added.

Jonnah currently serves as a Senior Accounting Manager at the SM Store, Cebu. Aside from financial security, she currently takes care of her parents’ medical expenses and lets them enjoy vibrant life experiences after retiring as flower farmers.

“Having a degree enabled me and my family to experience more in life. It paved the way for me to secure a stable job, which allowed me to travel, treat my family to a nice meal, take them shopping on special occasions, and most importantly, support my parents and their medical expenses. Aside from providing me with a scholarship grant, working in SM has provided a sense of security for me and my family,” she shared.

Opening doors to more

SM Foundation made it its goal to help create an environment where low-income families can thrive and achieve stability, just like how the SM College Scholarship Program paved ways for Jonnah and her family.[

The application period is open from February 1 to March 31, 2023, for the academic year 2023–2024. The chosen scholars may choose to focus on accounting, information technology, engineering, or education, and they will receive a monthly stipend that includes enrichment activities in addition to their full tuition.

Visit https://www.sm-foundation.org/what_we_do/college-scholarship-program for additional details on the SM College Scholarship program.

Where it is persistently practiced, excellence flourishes. The nation’s sole manufacturer of PepsiCo products, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), recently presented this year’s Gold Crown Awards to three deserving personnel. Employees who exhibit professional commitment in keeping with PCPPI’s ICARE Values—Integrity and Innovation, Caring and Respect, Empowerment and Excellence—are given this distinction.

Frederick D. Ong, president and chief executive officer of PCPPI, said of the honorees: “Our people continue to be at the heart of what makes us happy to be a member of PCPPI. He continued, “Jona, Lucky, and Faith are among the many talented team members that exemplify how true PCPPI Bravehearts are. The Gold Crown Awards allow us as a team to recognize the exceptional accomplishments of our employees. We are eager to develop more motivating professionals in the future. “

Visit pepsiphilippines.com for more information about PCPPI and the company’s ICARE principles.

You want to amass your art collection, but on a tight budget. Don’t pass up this opportunity to attend the annual Art in the Park, known as the most awaited affordable art festival in the country, which returns outdoors on March 19 at Jaime Velazquez Park in Makati City to celebrate and advocate Filipino art in its 17th year.

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Art in the Park 2023 have partnered once more to provide fairgoers with BPI Cards with flexible payment choices for purchasing art at the exhibit-sale, which is open for one full day starting at 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“BPI has been supporting Art in the Park for continuously uplifting the vibrant Filipino art scene and for providing a platform for our valuable contributors of art whose works truly merit more support and respect. It also makes art accessible to Filipinos, helping them learn more about art and Filipino artists,” said Jenny Lacerna, BPI Product and Sales Head for Unsecured Lending and Cards.

This year’s edition will feature 60 exhibit booths from galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student organizations, all of which will be displaying and selling a variety of extraordinary works by known and rising artists.

One of the galleries that will be participating is Art Cube Gallery featuring Isko Andrade for special exhibits. “Art Cube Gallery has been a backbone of the Philippine contemporary art scene since it was established in 2012 for helping Filipino artists get their well-deserved spotlight,” said Lacerna. The said Gallery provides a platform for talented young artists to showcase their works before an extensive roster of art collectors, as well as help promote the careers of seasoned artists by giving art aficionados a broad access to their work in international art exhibitions. The gallery has so far mounted over 100 art exhibitions here and abroad involving award-winning and seasoned artists, as well as promising young painters and sculptors.

Francis Eugene E. Andrade, also known as Isko Andrade, is a young artist based in Bulacan who has been known for sharing his stories through his artworks that evoke a sense of nostalgia. He received several awards and citations such as Shell National Student Art Competition and Metrobank Art Design Excellence Competition. He is a graduate of fine arts with a major in visual communication at Bulacan State University.

For his show titled Intersections II, Andrade uses knots as his art subject to depict his own impression of ‘persevering’ by utilizing oil paint on canvas. Lacerna said art as an asset remains an auspicious investment as it tends to hold its value over time in contrast with other asset classes whose value has the propensity to decline sharply when the market crashes. “What’s really enticing about collecting and investing in art is that aside from having a potential lucrative return in the long-term, they can also make stunning display pieces at home,” she said.

BPI Cardholders can use their BPI credit cards to buy now and pay three months later on an exclusive Real 0% Special Installment Plan for up to six months.

The National Museum of the Philippines and its network are served by the initiatives and programs of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, which is financed by BPI and organized by Filipino Art Events, Inc.

Follow www.facebook.com/bpi and www.facebook/artinthepark on Facebook for more details about Art in the Park and BPI’s promotional offers, or visit www.bpi.com.ph and www.artinthepark.ph.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? “, asks Dr. Nielsen Donato, a veterinarian, as he strolls through his animal sanctuary.”This doesn’t work. It’s something you’re eager about.

People typically picture veterinarians caring for domestic pets like cats and dogs when they think of them. But Doc Nielsen isn’t your typical veterinarian. He has a specialty in avian and exotic medicine and serves as the managing partner and principal surgeon at Vets In Practice (VIP), a facility that treats pets that aren’t typical.

But what really sets him apart is his unrestrained compassion for practically every form of animal, whether it is slithering, flying, galloping, or crawling.

From the age of three, Doc Nielsen developed his enthusiasm. His excitement about going to church to see the yellow chicks and ducklings being sold by vendors outside is one of his favorite childhood memories.

Nowadays, Doc Nielsen assists in managing the Laguna Wildlife Park & Rescue Center, which is located on the Pansol property owned by his family. This nonprofit organization is home to about 100 different types of farm animals and wildlife, including domestic pets that have been abused and exotic species that have been rescued from dangerous conditions and illegal trade. He takes care of the wildlife park with the assistance of his crew, which includes everything from chickens and goats to monkeys and a serval cat. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which aids in obtaining and bringing animals to the park, also supports it.

The veterinarian calls the park his “happy place,” which he visits as early as 5 am to see all of the animals and listen to the different sounds that envelope the whole park. “When I’m walking here in the morning or afternoon, it relaxes me. Nalilimutan ko yung mga stress, that’s why I call it my ‘haven,’” says Doc Nielsen.

Compassion project

“We support the animals with our own resources,” Doc Nielsen says as he shows the many enclosures in the park that the animals call home. He also provides them with nutritious food and medicine to keep them healthy while they’re living in the park.

He doesn’t do this alone. Apart from the staff he works with, Doc Nielsen’s family also helps. His kids, Cedric and Nina, are studying veterinary medicine, so they’re well on their way to following in their dad’s footsteps.

Giving animals a second chance

While giving a tour of the park, Doc Nielsen stops to feed and pet the animals he passes by. One of them is a bearcat (binturong), a nocturnal mammal with cat-like features that’s endemic to Palawan. Doc Nielsen explains that the bearcats were transported to the park with the help of DENR, and they are raised until they’re ready to be released back into the wild.

“I promised that if I ever breed any endemic wildlife animal in the park, my goal is to help repopulate their species and bring them back to their natural habitat,” he says. He also takes time to assess animals who might need medical attention and treat them right away to prevent infections.

It’s not always easy for Doc Nielsen to let go of animals, especially those that have been used to being around humans. Many of the monkeys, for example, lived in crowded areas and were treated as pets in their past lives. Releasing them back into the wild would be a safety risk for them because a troop of wild monkeys might hurt them.

This is why he and his staff ensure that animals like these get the care they need so they can live a long and healthy life. The wildlife sanctuary is their safe haven until they are ready to be released in a protected space.

Whether it’s at his clinic in the city or the wildlife park in Laguna, Doc Nielsen is always ready to offer his expertise and care to all types of species, no matter how scary they may seem.

“I always dreamed of being someone like [British veterinary surgeon] James Harriot. I’ve always wanted to treat dogs and cats, and farm animals as big as horses, goats, and sheep,” he said. “There weren’t exotic animals to treat yet [when I was just starting out.] Now, I’m lucky because I get to treat more exotic animals, as well as farm animals, in my clinic and the park.”