Dream Figure in Six Hours

by Dheza Marie Aguilar

August 5, 2008

Everybody craves and dreams for a supermodel figure, voluptuous behind, firm and proud front, a six-pack abs for men and a flat stomach for us girls. This degree of vanity makes gyms and fitness centres flourish, enhancement products to sell and derma and surgery clinics to maintain a good business despite the economic decline. One colleague noted that even if people are dealing with hard financial times, businesses that cater to being beautiful will remain strong. Blame it to magazines, Hollywood, television shows, the huge billboards around the Metro, to Filipinos’ innate narcissism, even to articles like this one; we will always make a way to have the dream body and the look that qualifies for the standard of beauty and sexiness.

But reality bites and no matter how hard we try or how long we starve ourselves, it is very difficult to achieve a perfectly sculpted body. It demands time, patience and a lot of discipline and of course money. But while most people cannot pledge 100% to the first three requirements, but have big bucks to burn, a new clinical surgery promises to be the answer to your six-pack abs desires.

Dutch water knowledge can help prevent Philippine flooding

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 07/03/2010 12:24 AM | Updated as of 07/03/2010 12:24 AM

NETHERLANDS - While the Philippines has yet to fully recover from the devastation brought by Tropical Storm Ondoy and the successive typhoons in October last year, the country’s weather agency has recently announced the possibility of the occurrence of the La Niña phenomenon.

The rainy spells that come with it can trigger yet another “Ondoy” tragedy which the country cannot afford to have in just a year.

Rick Heikoop, water and sanitation specialists and professor of water management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, understands this problem very well. For most part, Heikoop thinks that the flooding problem in the country, especially in the urban areas, has a major connection to urban planning.

Filipino home gallery opens in Netherlands

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 06/25/2010 11:22 AM | Updated as of 06/25/2010 6:17 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - Sitting on her dining table, Rhoda Piedra lovingly admires a series of abstract paintings hanging on her wall.

These are her father’s works and she says having them displayed in her house gives her a sense of closeness to her deceased dad. Piedra becomes emotional while recalling memories of his dad working on his art projects at school.

Raul Piedra has been dubbed Master Texture Builder of the Philippines. His abstract paintings are famous for the intensity of colors and praised for its unique textures.

Filipina wins ING business award

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/15/2010 7:48 PM
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THE NETHERLANDS – Marianne Olano’s biggest dream is to become a well-known journalist. Before venturing into business, she worked as a writer for ABS-CBN Naga City and various publications in the country.

But after chasing her dream for several years, she realized she needed to find a more financially-rewarding career.

Unlike others, however, who sought better jobs in big cities, Olano went back to her hometown in Naga City and explored the possibility of starting her own business. Her father strongly disagreed with her plans, citing her lack of knowledge and capital. But she was determined to succeed.

RP Post in Netherlands focuses on seafarers for OAV

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau | 03/12/2010 7:05 PM
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THE NETHERLANDS - The Philippine embassy in The Netherlands is exerting extra effort to encourage Filipino seafarers to vote.

One month before the start of the overseas voting, the embassy is busy preparing the list of manning agencies and shipping companies employing Filipino seamen. To ensure that the ballots have been received and the votes mailed, the embassy plans to call each and every one of them.

The mobile nature of jobs in shipping demands additional work for the embassy. According to Consul General Frank Cimafrance, they need to investigate first whether those seamen who were registered in the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) still have existing contracts before they can send the ballots.