Chinggay V. Utzurrum
The scene

WHO can resist life enhancement, life extension, and life preservation? This is very possible in this day and age when you visit the country’s premier anti-aging and lifespan clinic, in Makati City, the Asian Aesthetics & Anti-Aging (A4 Clinic).

A4 Clinic is the only center in Asia that promotes innovative science and medical research to prolong a healthy human
lifestyle, through three major services. It also offers bio-identical hormone correction, adult stem cell banking and treatment and predictive genetic diagnostics.

Everyone interested (and who doesn’t want to live a longer, healthier life?) is invited to a free talk on the subject entitled "Longevity 101: Hormone Solution & Stem Cell Basics for a Longer & Better Lifespan" on Saturday, Nov. 22, 4 to 6 p.m. at Krua Thai Restaurant at Banilad Town Center.

Forerunners of this clinic, Dr. Quincy P. Raya and Dr. Christopher Rex P. Gloria, will be in Cebu to deliver this talk, with clinic chef Lia Valera, who will give a practical demo in anti-aging food preparation and nutrition.

Seat reservations can be made through 0917-89-YOUNG (9-6-8-6-4. For more info on A4 clinic, please log on to www.a4clinic.com.

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Privet! Kak dela! Sounds Greeks to me, but its actually Russian translated thus, "Hi! How are you?"

Dabro pozhalovat, Welcome to "Meet Russia’; A Russian Lifestyle Seminar" recently held at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

No less than Ambassador of Russia to the Philippines Vitaly Vorobiev was here to conduct the many aspects of Russian lifestyle, with Embassy of the Russian federation members Dmitry Larionov, Protocol asst. (he even speaks Tagalog!) and personal chef Alexander Kravets, who concocted exotic Russian dishes, from soups, to main course to sweets.

A perfect diplomat host was Cebu’s Honorary Consul to the Russian Federation, Armi Lopez Garcia, who introduced the assemblage to the seminar.

The City’s and provincial officialdom were represented by Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, who gave an inspiring message; Provincial Board member Tourism-Agnes A. Magpale; and Dept. of Tourism Head for Region 7 (DOT 7) Dawnie Roa, who conducted the open forum.

And last but not least, Cebu Gov., Gwen Garcia, who welcomed one and all!

And during the formal dinner with the Russian royalty and guests members of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), businessmen from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce, and media friends, Ambassador Vitaly Vorobiev himself introduced us to the various ways of sipping their official drink, vodka, all of 70 percent alcohol, whew!

Of course, we had already familiar dishes, like herring, Vol-au-vent with caviar, bliny with salmon, chicken cutlets a la kiev, and dessert, sweet dumplings with orange sauce.

So in ending a perfectly planned Russian evening, would we dare say, dobroin nochi, or good night, sweet dreams. We
would, and do svidanya, or goodbye, as well!

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What we thought was going to be an uneventful breakfast at the Latitude Coffee shop of Traders Hotel-Manila, turned out to be a stunningly glamorous one, to say the least. We were guests of Lourdes Arrieta, communications manager of the hotel, when out of the blue, three shapely, sexy ladies sat at the next table. Lo and behold!

They were candidates to the recently concluded Miss Earth Beauty Pageant held in Manila. Traders was their official residence! My roommate Terry Manguerra and I lost no time in posing with the beauties, who obliged warmly. Cebuanas always attract beauty, and what do you know! A few days later, our very own Karla Paula Ginteroy Henry was crowned Miss Earth!

(November 20, 2008 issue)