“So, do you stand on your head?” That’s one of the first things people ask me when they learn I practice and teach yoga. The answer is yes, an answer inevitably followed by a “Wow,” “Really?” or “Galing!”—you know, like I just admitted to swallowing swords or walking on hot coals.
Skye, the cute little Jack Russell terrier owned by businessman Chardy Ang, can’t weigh more than six pounds, and can be snugly carried in one hand.
I’m sitting at a coffee shop table with Dr. Nielsen Donato, renowned veterinarian and, for the past year-and-a-half, co-host (with fellow vet Dr. Ferds Recio) of the environmental show “Born To Be Wild,” which airs Wednesday nights at 11:30 on GMA 7 (with a spin-off, “Born Impact,” Sundays at 9:30 p.m.). And his phone won’t stop ringing.
Amid news good and bad, environmentalists worldwide rejoiced over a milestone development. At their latest meeting in Bangkok last week, parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) voted to increase protection for five species of commercially exploited sharks— oceanic whitetip, porbeagle, and three species of hammerheads (the scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead, and smooth hammerhead)—as well as two species of manta rays (Manta bistrosis and Manta alfredi). CITES is a multilateral treaty signed in 1973, protecting more than 34,000 species of animals and plants.
Last Christmas, Li-an Ascalon stayed in Manila instead of heading home to Bacolod for the holidays, mainly because she wanted to be sure the dogs at the Mandaluyong Animal Shelter (MAS) were taken care of while the staff was on break.
Ano, Ateng, gusto mong umarte?” Normally, a question to be pondered carefully. But then again, it was Floy Quintos asking me to join the cast of his new play, “Collection,” and I am an avowed “Quintoshian” (albeit part-time) actor.
In the Buencamino household in Quezon City, talk about rehearsals and tapings and pictorials is part of the script of everyday life. After all, this is home to three dogs, four youngsters—and their parents.
My friend and fellow yoga teacher Susan and I had just spent a month literally stretching ourselves to our limits in our biennial trip to the mother ship, the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India, for yoga training, and we were looking to unwind before heading home.
The stories are enough to reduce animal lovers to tears. There was Popeye, the dog whose owner poured kerosene all over him last month and set him on fire to allegedly manage a flea infestation. (Popeye eventually died.)
These dogs have been through much pain. You can’t counter pain with pain.” That was dog behavior consultant and “dog coach” Francis Cleofas talking, as he lovingly stroked the head of a gorgeous, sunshine-colored pit bull named Goldie.
I really wasn’t planning on going the distance after reviewing E L James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” a few weeks ago. (Lifestyle, Aug. 19, 2012, p.C1) However, I got curious when two intelligent men I know—a banker and a lawyer—both said they read the trilogy to the end.
