Category Archives: Beauty

Boracay Faces Serious Environmental Threat

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Decades ago, Boracay used to be a virgin small island (exactly located in the Panay island in Visayas of the Philippines) filled with unexplored natural resources (e.g. beautiful coral reefs, lush greenery, unparalleled white sands, etc.) and untouched by the commercial flair. Only a privileged few backpackers, nature and sea lovers had access to it exclusively relishing its pristine beauty. As a matter of fact not everyone of the island’s natives was aware of its existence; there was no opportunity for them to explore every nook and cranny of the place. No one has thought at that time that the island beach resort could be one of the top tropical beaches in the world or could hit the No.1 spot for the most coveted title of the World’s Best Island Getaway for 2012.

(Note: Photos below are exclusively for www.myusefultips.com’s use!)

As years passed, Boracay was gradually known in other parts of the country making it as one of the favorite places by the locals to spend particularly during summer time. Similarly, foreign investors and local businessmen started inhabiting the place, erecting structures and attracting international and local tourists to flock the place. Commercialization proliferated like a “hot pandesal” (hot roll bread) whereby anyone who has the “dough” can simply “roll down the dough with the pin” , so to speak, and undertake a business in the area, without much exhaustive proper planning, effective implementation and enforcement of zoning and related environmental laws, good management and community involvement.

While the respective owners of these business structures understandably  had prior discussions with concerned local officials and eventually were able to obtain the approvals from the local authorities and the needed environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), there have been many of these structures to date which have been identified as still not in conformity with the country’s environmental standards, as previously agreed upon.

In view of this, local city and environment officials have been prompted on their duties to enforce existing laws, observe and comply with the guidelines set forth. Various environment concerns were thrown at them by people in media and advocacy groups. As a matter of fact, there is one recent controversial case (the West Cove Hotel) wherein the owner was reprimanded and ordered to strip some parts of the hotel’s already finished structures and developed land area as it exceeded from what has been approved by the environment authorities. For more information on this, please refer to the previous reports/files of the  ABS-CBN network. The hotel apparently violated the Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes and it was also ordered closed as it operated without building and mayor’s permits. Yup, you’ve heard it right guys! The hotel has been operating for several years without the said requirements?  I smell something “fishy”!

The said incident is just one of the large structures built in the area which  posed an environmental threat and adverse impact to Boracay’s unique beauty.

But how about other domestic polluters and pollutants in the area? How are they and their wastes being taken cared of? Incidentally, I have seen this bill board posted on one of the palm trees which says: “Let’s Help Keep Our Boracay Island Clean” and with a “No smoking sign”. I thought it was cool as the beach portion of the island is a non-smoking area.

But while strolling along the beach to breath some fresh morning air, I was dismayed to see some trash obviously thrown at a certain place, at the back of the store booths, which seemingly served as a dump site of whoever big shot or any braggart violator/s! Would you believe what I’ve discovered? It was a newly consumed empty pack of “Marlboro” cigarette! What an irony of ironies! There must be some people there who can pretty smoke much freely without being admonished. Shame, shame, shame on them!

And together with the empty pack of cigarette were other waste materials such as empty liquor bottles, plastic glass, candy wrappers and the like.

Moving forward, I was even more horrified to encounter a clear water line flowing down the white beach. I could have given you more or less the exact place, unfortunately, my cam’s battery was dead. I thought it came from a natural brook but as I came closer, it was a canal coming from the commercial establishments with an awful smell attacking us. My companions and I, in fact, had to jump to the other side of the beach road, very much aghast, so as to free our feet from soaking on the infested foul-smelling water. What we have encountered was unthinkable! This is something that should be immediately looked into  by local authorities (at least from their level). Calling calling Boracay’s local authorities, specifically the Mayor of Boracay! I hope you and your boys could conduct an unannounced ocular inspection and together with the hotel/stall owners to clean-up the grounds of the beautiful beach. Perhaps, a massive environment related campaign, including sewage treatment, etc. should be conducted with all stakeholders in the area being represented, providing them a lecture and stern warnings particularly on the imminent danger if the same similar negative incidents are left untreated/unresolved.

While private sector/foreign investments in the area is crucial to the island’s economic development (e.g more taxes going into the city’s coffers, employment generation, etc.), it is also equally important for us to be more vigilant in the project monitoring and implementation so as to maintain the beauty of the island. There is nothing wrong with commercialization as long as everything is in order, i.e. there has be seriousness in environment standards compliance and law enforcement.

For Boracay’s visitors, what is essential is what is visible to the naked eye! I, for one, would still love to hear the chirping of the birds and the sounds of sea waves and sea breeze, to see the palm crests over the island, the white sands and the colorful beach waters, the tropical gardens around it and the amazing sunset during chill out time! This is what Boracay should be for all of us and because we treat it as our own,  it is but prudent for us to preserve the island’s unique beauty and love the same just like our motherland!

I was actually tempted to scribble these words on the sand  for you to know………….how I love the place!

Despite some “interesting” and disappointing glitches during my third day, I would still love to go back to Boracay in the future, if time permits. The place is indeed  “toooo” good and “soooo” true and I would like to invite everyone to come and savor the beauty of nature!

This exotic flower from the hotel (I forgot the name, sorry) and the lei made of puka shells given to me made me feel very welcome throughout my entire stay in Boracay!


(The sand design below was constructed by an 8-year old boy.   This is for a small amount if visitors wish to take a snap of it. Very artistic!)

Why Young Ones Love To Fashion – Tips and Thoughts

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In a metropolis like NYC, fashion is inevitably observed especially to majority in the younger work force and the teens and tweens. The tri-media advertising massive campaign effectively put a pressure to some of these groups to dress up in a certain way and in line with each one's standards. However, for avid fashion lovers, even without the tri-media influence, dressing up is simply part of their day to day life, it's like a norm to them. They themselves do have a certain degree of power, they sometimes serve as the trendsetters, as a matter of fact, even fashion designers would get ideas from what they see from them. But even with that kind of scenario, these people would still go out of their way just to check on the latest craze in fashion mags and runways. These are the type of people who simply enjoy to fashion themselves, seeing on what to wear everyday, and are always on the hunt for something novel.

While it is true that being fashionable can be applicable to all people from all walks of life, regardless of age, etc., no one can deny the fact that the young ones are more excited and aggressive in so far as updating their looks are concerned.

Based on a sample survey conducted on the subject, the following are some of the rationale which to me seem to be intriguing yet practical on why the relatively young people would like to dress up, regardless of the occasion:

1.For love of fashion and trends

Isn't it interesting that there are people who would really shout out to the whole world to advocate for fashion? Yes, these are some who do feel proud about their style, and would even blog or write about it, perhaps in social network sites, journals or slum books, that is if they don't own a web place. Fashion lovers are more artistic and at the same time overcautious on what they wear, even if they'll merely buy something at a near by grocery store. They simply love to dress up for no reason at all.

2.For beauty and self-satisfaction

Some young people, especially the ladies, indicate that wearing something chic and classy would make them beautiful, at least from the outside appearance. They said that they feel more beautiful and satisfied if they're in their best attire. This is quite true because when I see someone even not endowed with the beauty of “Cleopatra”, but wears something that fits her to a “T”, I would compliment her, “Wow, you look pretty in there”! For the rich and famous, they can afford to be glamorous and gorgeous by wearing designer made clothes from the showrooms such as that of Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent or Pucci. But even if one is on a budget, he or she can still find ways on how to style minus the branded items. Definitely, it would make the person simply enjoy how fashion makes him/her feel.

3. For self-morale and confidence boosting

There are younger generations who  would opt to dress up in order to level up  their morale and confidence. One young college intern in a non profit org. mentioned that apart from being smart and pretty, the fact that she has decided to wear something decent, a pair of semi-formal business suit, added to her confidence to speak up and market herself to the interviewer, which made her in and be part of the team. When someone dresses up properly for any occasion, there is such a feeling which overpowers one's shyness, thus enabling him/her to even stand straighter and be confident of herself.

4. For fun and art sake

As mentioned in my previous blogs, fashion is more of an art than a science. There are some girls who just love to experiment on things like which color would match their shoes and accessories for a particular gathering. This is especially true to the fashionistas who are on a budget. They'll make use of what's available in their existing wardrobe. They become creative as a result of which and that's precisely the essence of fashion. In that way, they are able to express themselves by the clothes they wear on how they feel at that particular moment , thus confirming what experts in the field often said, that fashion is self-expression.

5. For attraction (normally from opposite sex), and for flaunting

The naughtier young ladies would dress up either to attract guys or show off of what they wear, particularly if they have an hour-glass figure and dangerous curves to boot. These are the type who are not afraid to flaunt and would want others to notice them. They want to be different, stand out as “la crème de la creme” in the crowd and they feel happy and satisfied in what they do.

I see nothing wrong in dressing up, actually it's fun and exciting. As I said before,  as long as you dress appropriately, feel confident about yourself, act professionally (whether as  job searcher or  university student),  then you're setting up yourself for success. 

Incidentally, here are some styles for hip young professionals and teens and tweens. These are arranged by June, a fashion lover and hopefully a budding fashion designer.

 

 

So, how about you guys and dolls? Speak and share what's in your mind! What do you think of the write-up? What about the styles? Did you like it?

Helpful Natural Tips For Healthy Hair

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Believe it or not, this is the fist time in my life that I have been extra conscious of my hair.

 Before, I just couldn’t care less how my hair looked as long as it was clean, smelled good, and tolerable (not horrible!), then that was it! . Businesses involve in beauty salons and hair care products may have gone into insolvency if all of the women have followed my footsteps. I am just the type of person wherein beauty salons and parlors were  not part of weekly agenda . 

When I was in my teens, I wore a real long straight soft manageable hair – the length went down to even below my waist, then started to gradually cut it short after my college graduation. My hair’s evolution for the past decade  r anges  from a slightly below shoulder length to a shorty-shorty “twiggy” style of hair, which is what I have now. In the past, I used to wash my hair with all the kinds of shampoos being advertised in the tri-media. However, there were also times that I would use some natural products which I have seen from other people and used by my mother like the coconut milk and aloe vera leaves (“sabila”) which I simply picked from one of our plants.

But I have to face the reality that the ticking of my biological clock is not going backwards and as previously mentioned in my first statement , it is about time to take a look at my hair, to give it a special TLC (tender loving care) treatment, so to speak!  Even when I was young, I was quite aware already that the hair is a very vital aspect of looking good. We have come across this old saying that the “Woman’s Hair is Her Crowning Glory”. This is one of the maxims in life that I quite believe in.   For most women, having and craving for good hair is universal. This desire is beyond boundaries and as much as possible, women want to have a soft, shiny and manageable hair, that begs to be touched —-like one that we see in the ads! And, why not?

Okay, call it vain or superficial, but when our hair is beautiful , you feel a wee bit better above the rest, you feel well and your confidence and prestige become high —there’s a sort of a WOW factor that oozes in your personality! This may also be the reason why some men are attracted to women with beautiful hair! Hmmmn….

I’m all thumbs up with what technology and “beauty magicians” can do for women’s hair especially those who are in showbiz and entertainment world. They frequent their hair stylists who are apt to using state-of-the-art hair tools (e.g. hair dyers, flat irons ,waxes, hairsprays, mouses, extenders, steam something and other products) which may have adverse effects on their hair health.

As I am not an advocate of the said artificial hair paraphernalias, my helpful tips will focus on the natural ways and means on how to maintain a healthy hair regardless of age and stature in life.

USEFUL NATURAL HEALTHY HAIR TIPS:

1. Brush/Comb your hair before washing/shampooing  – Most of us are quite familiar with this – this is a very basic step. This is to wash away the accumulated dirt especially if you don’t shampoo your hair everyday. In my case, I prefer to use comb since I have thin fine strands of hair. In my younger days, I used to comb my hair with my head upside down with the belief that the nutrients I get from the food I ate during the day will go to my head and eventually to my hair. Funny yes, but it’s tested and proven by many!

2. If you have dry hair, you may opt to give an oil massage to your hair once a month or often depending on the need and nature of your hair. However, instead of putting oil, you may simply massage the scalp of your hair for healthy growth and better circulation.

3. Shampoo/Condition/Moisturize your hair – Wash your hair with cool or warm (never hot) water! Dry your hair naturally by blotting your hair with a towel. In my case, I use a small towel (like a face towel) to take away the water from my hair) and then I wrap it with a bath towel. Thereafter I comb my hair and I let it dry, either with a fan or electric fan when in a hurry.  Avoid using hair dryers as it emits heat which can dry out and/or damage your hair and skin. As much as possible, stay away from hair styling products but you may wish to to have your hair snipped by your hairstylist at least every three months to get rid of split ends and “dead” hairs. 

4. Eat right – A well-balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits, dark green vegetables and other vegetables (beans, legumes, carrots), low fat dairy products, nuts, and lean growth promoting proteins such as fish (e.g. salmon, oysters, etc) can make your hair in the pink! These are the nutrients that you need to put into your body which help keep your hair healthy. Remember, if you take your health for granted by following an unhealthy diet, for sure it would affect the quality of your hair.

5. Regular Exercise and Adequate Sleep- I am amazed how exercise and sleep can do so much to make hair healthy. Some experts say that indulging in exercise for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day will help get enough blood for hair follicles , thus giving a healthy hair. Avoid stress and get enough sleep so your hair will grow faster and fuller. So, chill out, relax and shut that eye of yours!

In summary, it appears it only takes a little discipline and the right attitude of your lifestyle in order to acquire and maintain a healthy hair. Therefore, have a healthy life and you’ll have a healthy hair too!

Berry Berry Nice – My First Useful Beauty Treat Tip

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Did you know that based on studies conducted , the strawberry when cut in half has so many benefits? 

- Simply rub the cut sides on your clean face, wait for a few minutes, then rinse. This fruit has certain elements that help clear up blemishes and shuns dead cells.

- Gently rub on the teeth and gums. Its juice removes tartar from gums and heals gums too. The juice should remain on the teeth as long as possible so as to dissolve the tartar.

- Thereafter, rinse your mouth with warm water.