Ugh.
Welcome to summer in the Philippines. Everything and everyone is all sweaty (poor pets included!), as the daily norm is muggy, mucky weather that makes us sticky all over. The sun is blazing overhead, seemingly penetrating through our faces already generously slathered with SPF-50 sunblock.
Sure, there have been a few times that our dry Metro gets some temporary relief with very brief rain showers, or a sudden downpour that ceases in 10 minutes (I know, I actually timed it), but generally each day has been a daily struggle in this humid weather, and every move we make results in beads of salty moisture in every crevice of our anatomy. Ick.
At home, with my unit already on the third floor with an expansive balcony, I hardly feel any breeze. The searing heat is so terrible, I can’t help but keep the air-conditioning switched on almost 24/7, otherwise I will be unable to pound my Mac’s keyboard and share my thoughts with you.
I try to remain hydrated all throughout the day, mostly with water and juice, and some iced coffee, although I’ve been trying to cut down on the latter, which can be a wretched diuretic that will have you making a 100-meter dash to the bathroom every so often.
My favorite juice is Locally, which I discovered last summer in my neighborhood supermarket. While perusing the supermarket’s shelves for a more flavorful alternative to my usual liters of cold water, the catchy colorful bottles of Locally caught my eye. Initially, I thought it was a foreign brand masquerading as a local product, but upon closer inspection I saw that it was manufactured by NutriAsia, a company known for iconic brands like UFC banana ketchup, Datu Puti vinegar and Silver Swan soy sauce, among others.
The best Locally flavor for me so far is Tamarind. The play of sweet and sour on my tastebuds, coupled with the near-freezing temp I usually take it in, makes quite the refreshing drink. It’s not a common flavor among local juices we’ve grown accustomed to (i.e., pineapple, mango, buko), and using playful titles for each flavor (e.g., Tamarind My Bell) makes the drink extra special.
With Locally, we can go on a taste trip around the Philippines with its other nine indigenous flavors: Mangosteen (Mangosteenie Miney Mo), Sineguelas (Save The Best for Sineguelast), Dalandan (You’ve Dalandan It Again), Guyabano (Guyabano-body But You), Calamansi (Calamansi’z The Day), Pomelo (Pomelong and Lasting Love) and Buko (Merci Buco 100-percent Coconut Water, Lychee and Pandan).
“There has been a resurgent advocacy promoting homegrown brands and products,” says Gretchen King, group product manager for Locally, in a brief interview with this columnist. “The country hass seen an increase in fairs selling local produce, restaurants featuring their own take on local dishes, local art and films being recognized, etc. Loving local is definitely in right now, and it’s a good thing because it enables us to support our own communities and promote Filipino pride, which is exactly what Locally is all about.”
She adds, Locally believes in “responsible goodness”—that is, great-tasting and indigenous flavors that’s not just good for us, but a great boost for the community, as well.
“Each of our flavors is created from natural, homegrown fruits sourced from different parts of the country; there’s the tamarind from Central and Southern Luzon, mangosteen from Davao and calamansi from Isabela, among others. We aim to raise awareness and appreciation of our local produce, and in turn support Filipino farmers and the farming community,” she notes.
At the heart of the brand lies the commitment to champion a sense of Pinoy pride in an inherently fun way, capturing the Filipino spirit, Gretchen stresses. “We wanted Locally to reflect something uniquely Pinoy, so we used the names of the fruits and injected a punny twist to them.”
I like the fact that, aside from being tasty, the juices are also quite affordable, with the bottled juices at P30.95, and cans at P24.50. The tetra packs, like for the Merci Buco line, start at P34.45.
Of course, water is still the best liquid to hydrate oneself, but if I need that zing for the day to ensure I meet my work deadlines, it’s easy to reach for my bottles of Locally Tamarind, just cooling in my ref. Yummm.
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NOT only do our bodies suffer from the infernal heat of the summer, but our lips can take a beating, as well. For many people like me, no amount of hydration by drinking water or juices can boost the moisture of our lips. Primarily because it is thinner than the rest of the skin on one’s body, it’s one of the first areas to be affected during the hottest summers and freezing winters.
Unlike regular skin, the absence of the top protective layer on the lips means it is more susceptible to dryness and dullness, resulting in cracking or chapping. Which is why, during summer, aside from a protective and aesthetic cover of lipstick, I usually slick on my handy-dandy tub of Vaseline petroleum jelly over it. I have a large tub at home and always keep a mini-tub in my handbag.
For over 140 years, Vaseline has been safely helping skin heal. The company believes that healthy skin truly starts with deep-healing moisture, and not something one can get by masking problems or through quick fixes. It works by creating a barrier that locks in moisture to protect the skin and support its natural recovery process. Clinically proven and dermatologically tested, its nonsticky and nongreasy formula spreads on smoothly, instantly softens and moisturizes dry lips. (It may be used also on other dry parts of the skin. My cousin-in-law for instance, used it on her nipples, which can dry and flake when nursing a baby. Obviously she didn’t slather it on while feeding the baby, silly.)
While I usually use the original Vaseline Lip Therapy, I was pleased to learn that it was now available in flavors, with all its moisturizing goodness in mini-tubs.
Rosy Mini, for instance, gives a light pinkish tin. It can be worn alone or can be used as a hydration base, before applying one’s lipstick of choice. Crème Brulée melts onto lips to make them smoother and sweeter, while giving the scent of the beloved dessert. Cocoa Butter is made with theobroma cacao, which has excellent emollient properties that help lips recover from discomfort.
Summer can be a b___h. But science, and some lifestyle choices, can help us beat it.
Image credits: Ma. stella F. Arnaldo