HEALTH IS WEALTH

February 13, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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Kutitap by Becky PagsibinganBy Becky Pagsibingan
This is my favorite clich now. Since last year, Ive been getting more get-well or sympathy cards than birthday or anniversary cards intended for my relatives and friends. It is getting closer and closer to home. I know we are not getting any younger, but what we can do, at least, is to maintain healthy habits. I liken our body to a car. When the car is already about five years old, different problems will surface- transmission, brake, electrical connections, emissions, etc. To make it run properly, the car must be brought to the gasoline station or dealership for regular check-ups. This analogy translates to maintaining healthy habits in order to live a healthy life. This clich did not mean much to us when we were young. Now, we know better. Nothing is accomplished if we are incapacitated.

As we began the new year, many of us resolved to make healthy changes. - eating better, losing weight, exercising more, etc ?. Four weeks have passed in 2008, where are we now? It is not too early to make an assessment because we may have already forgotten those good intentions and we probably have slipped back to our unhealthy lifestyle.

A friend of mine shared with me her strategy to psyche herself into maintaining her new healthy habits. She said it is simple - start slowly and work your way up. In the first place, she did not set too overwhelming goals, too high to maintain and attain. In the eating habit, start by adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals. Give up the super-sized sodas and work up to low-fat versions of foods and leaner meats. On exercise routine you can stick with -start by taking a walk around the block after dinner with friends and family. As you feel more comfortable, add more distance. One simple thing that Ive been doing, I told my friend, was to use the stairs in the building of my office instead of the elevator to take me one flight up or down. It became a habit that I really didnt even think of it as a form of exercise. I also park my car not too close to the main door of the building to give me some distance to walk. Talking of sodas, I have given it up years ago. I only drink water now. I eat just meals and no snacks, no chichiria. My stomach, I think, is so used to it by now, and my brain, too.

My friend stressed that the key to success is to take small steps and dont take too much of yourself because you wont see results overnight. If I may add, it also takes some level of discipline and self-control to make things happen, big or small. Motivation is also a key factor. My friend believes in the saying slowly, but surely. It will work, pero huwag kang mainip.

Fun at the FAIA Officers Induction
The accountants were not seeing numbers last January 19. Forget about taxes! , they said. They promised just to eat, dance and be merry that evening (after the induction, of course). Cheryl Brunner and Ramon Calalang enjoyed their roles as the emcees for the evening and likewise, the audience enjoyed them. Cheryl proved to be a lively singer with her rendition of two jazz numbers. Her singing style was so jazzy and catchy that I whispered to my husband that my feet were itching to slide, jazz walk to the dance floor and snap my fingers. He said, no! I said, just kidding. Anyway, we were announced to perform an exhibition number next. We presented a medley of ballroom dances - Waltz, Rhumba, Merengue and Tango. Later, someone who looked like Warie Azarcon teased us that our performance was hot.

Bobby Tamayo was popular with the audience when they incessantly applauded as his name was called to receive a certificate. But Bobby was nowhere to be found - bad timing to go to the restroom. His proud wife, Nina Tamayo, received his plaque, instead. Chris Banagan who closed the program, was so glad that her husband, Mike, had finally recovered from his recent gall bladder operation. We could tell that Mike was back to his old jolly ways, he was telling jokes again. We shared the table with Vellie Dietrich Hall and her husband, Harry, Warie and Norma Azarcon, Jun and Alma Conty and Maurese Owens. Then we hopped to the table of accountant friends Celso and Vilma Mataac, Efren and Carmelita Sangalang to say hi and chatted a little bit with them.

Consul Rico Fos who represented Ambassador Willy C. Gaa delivered his speech and inducted the new set of officers of the Filipino American Institute of Accountants. They were: President-David Pagsibigan; Executive Vice President- Arturo Pangilinan; Vice President- Education- Edgar Aznar; Secretary- Cecilia Ambrosio; Treasurer- Pilar Villava; Assistant Secretary- Lorelie Vergara; Assistant Treasurer-Victor Calimlim; Auditor- Genevieve Bautista and Public Relations Officer- Ramon Calalang. Outgoing President, Al Trapal, expressed his appreciation to the other outgoing officers. David, the new President, delivered his acceptance speech and stressed the need to increase and strengthen FAIAs membership.

David, our nephew, got a lot of support from his sisters -Jojo Masanque, Ruth Perlman and Dr. Carmen Castaneda from New Jersey (she did not make it, though), and their families. But the greatest support and inspiration was from his wife, Francine, who works at the World Bank. Their three children were also present to give cheers to their dad.
The FAIA will host the 2008 NCPACA Convention in September with guests coming from all over the US and Canada. The officers are now busy firming up their plans and steering up the different committees to mobilize their resources. I heard our local accountants will try to out-do the convention held in Toronto, Canada last year. Watch for this big event coming up.

Cheers to My Friends
Pat Abela who has been hospitalized recently is back to her home in Woodbridge. Though she was allowed to go home, she is still under observation by her doctor. Vilma Mataac who was at the accountants gala ball, is also under her physicians care. Pat and Vilma, you are in my prayers.

February Birthday Celebrants
Vilma Mataac of West Potomac, MD - 2/2
Fely Gomez of Springfield, VA - 2/7
Dr. Evelyn Co of Vienna, VA - 2/12
Jojo Masanque of Ashburn, VA - 2/16
Corinthia Mirasol of Burke, VA 2/16
Nenita Rasmussen of MD - 2/18
Norma Azarcon of Herndon, VA - 2/21
Becky Pagsibigan of Vienna, VA - 2/21
Becky Ramos - 2/21
Jojo de la Rosa of Falls Church, VA- 2/26
Danny Perico of Herndon, VA - 2/28
Email address: pagsibiganr@aol.com

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