She wants to eat but doesn't want to look fat

Dear Nanay,

It is the Christmas holidays already and that means lots of eating and pictures. My problem is the same as everyone else’s. I want to eat but I don’t want to look fat in pictures. I know that it is impossible not to gain weight if I keep eating so I think I have to start dieting now. Do you have any suggestions on what is an effective diet that will let me lose my target of 10 pounds before the holidays are in full swing?      — I Am Too Big

Dear I Am Too Big,

Let me first say that I am not a doctor or dietician. So before you engage in a serious “diet,” you may want to consult your doctor or dietician just to be safe.

Having said that, I personally do not diet. I eat everything I want. People ask me what the secret to my long life is and I always say matakaw kasi ako! (I have a big appetite).

Seriously, however, I believe that the best “diet” you can follow is “everything in moderation.” Not too much, not too little. Do not eat until you feel like you are ready to explode. But you should also not starve yourself because that is not healthy either. And I do not think it is too healthy for you if you lose too much weight too fast.

So it may be a little too late for you to lose weight for the holidays. But the best thing you can probably do is to just control what you eat. If you have to go to two parties in one evening, have appetizers in the first party and the main course in the second one. Hinay-hinay lang talaga, everything in moderation. Then, if you still have time during these hectic days, perhaps you can think about doing some exercise. That can also be your new year’s resolution.

Good luck and happy holidays!

Sincerely,

Nanay

* * *

Finding a publisher

Dear Nanay,

Hi, at the very late age of 44, I am trying to fulfill a dream of becoming a writer. It is a dream that one day I could publish my own work. I have no formal training and education in writing but I know I really have it in me. My target is to catch the attention of the youth of today because if I am not mistaken, many of our them today pay less attention to reading history books. True, there are lots of interesting books available but it is still very important that our youth will know history. In an age where computer games, Internet and PSPs are their interest, it is a challenge to really come up with a book wherein we could somehow reduce a little bit of their time from computer games.

I am starting this book entitled The Broken Arrows. My concern is that I don’t have any idea how to get a publisher. Thank you, your help is highly appreciated. — Micka

Dear Micka,

Thank you for your letter and thank you for your eagerness to contribute to our country’s literary heritage.

The easiest way for you to find a publisher here in the Philippines is for you to just e-mail the different publishers and state that you are inquiring about the possibility of publishing your manuscript.

If you want, you can send an inquiry to our publishing arm, Anvil Publishing, at publishing@anvilpublishing.com. You can send them your manuscript and they can give you a better idea of the steps you need to take and the related terms.

Sincerely,

Nanay

* * *

If you have a question, e-mail us at asknanay@nationalbookstore.com.phor just drop your letter at drop boxes in all National Book Store branches nationwide.