Trimming the fat

Today’s battle of the bulge has absolutely no connection to the infamous German offensive in Europe to avert defeat in World War II in 1944-45. The modern-day version refers to staving off the onslaught of unwanted pounds by living a healthy lifestyle. It’s all about eating right, exercising and managing stress for tip-top mental and physical conditioning.

To put it in perspective, the Department of Dermatology is holding a whole-day seminar entitled “Current Trends in Fat Reduction Strategies, From Simple to Radical” on the 9th floor at the Ledesma Hall of the Makati Medical Center today. Nutrition, quick-fix diets, radiofrequency, slimming pills, liposuction, cavitation, fitness and indulgence are among the intriguing topics lined up for discussion by 12 top-notch experts.

On-site registration will be processed starting at 7:30 this morning. PDS and non-PDS members, non-medical and allied health attendees and all residents and fellows are welcome to participate in the eighth post-graduate course organized by the Department of Dermatology.

The speakers are neuropsychiatry section chief Dr. Edgardo Juan Tolentino on common causative factors and management of non-metabolic overeating; nutritionist and dietician Luz Callanta on the upside and downside of popular quick-fix diets, South Beach, Cohen and Dukan; sports science professor Herc Callanta of the UP College of Human Kinetics on neuromuscular integrative action – a holistic workout for all ages, sizes and shapes; cosmetic and dermatologic-plastic surgery and skin diseases specialist Dr. Manuel Fernandez on classic vs. vaser-assisted liposuction; endocrinology training officer Dr. Jimmy Aragon of the Department of Internal Medicine on the safety and efficacy profile of locally-available slimming pills; bariatric surgeon Dr. Miguel Mendoza on patient selection and preparation for the extreme make-over, bariatric surgery; department of culture chief and dermatopathology chief Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell on the dietary and lifestyle factors associated with long-term weight change; Dr. Donna Leelin-Sarrosa on challenges of acne in pediatric patients; Dr. Victoria Dizon on diving deeper into the spring water: its therapeutic advantages; Dr. Giovanni Dimayuga on the HCG diet – hype or hope?; department of dermatology chair Dr. Peachy Paz-Lao on non-invasive machine-based sculpting, radiofrequency and cavitation ultrasound and Dr. Lourdes Arroyo-de Veyra with a live demo on radiofrequency and cavitation ultrasound.

The seminar will start off with an invocation by Dr. Imelda Cabral-Villar and opening remarks by Dr. Valerie Floro-Herbosa.

It’s not too late to sign up. What makes the seminar even more attractive is the speakers will discuss their topics up to only 20 to 30 minutes, meaning the lectures will be straight-to-the-point, no frills, no distractions. The first lecture is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. and the program will end with Dr. Aragon-de Veyra’s live demo at 2:40 p.m. Dr. Leelin-Sarrosa will deliver the closing remarks.  

For details, contact Dr. Charisse Villanueva or Dr. Kathryn Jane Tan at 8888-999 local 2060 or SMS 0927-3192031. You can’t miss this chance to find out how to win the battle of the bulge.

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PBA Hall of Famer Billy Ray Bates owes a lot to his San Francisco-based Filipino friend and loyal Crispa fan Jimmy Fojas, the environment, health and safety and facilities manager of Zeachem, Inc., a biotechnology company that makes cellulosic ethanol from wood chips in Menlo Park. It was Fojas who brought Bates back to the consciousness of Filipino media by reconnecting the “Black Superman” with local journalists last year.

Eventually, Bates was contacted by PBA marketing and licensing officer Rhose Montreal through Fojas to inform him of his induction into the PBA Hall of Fame.  Montreal arranged for Bates’ visit to Manila for the enshrinement ceremony at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Oct. 2.

Bates was initially booked to leave Manila and return to the US on Oct. 5. But he pleaded for more time to work out a job contract. Bates didn’t relish going back to his graveyard shift job as a floor technician in New Jersey and wanted to follow in the footsteps of former colleagues Norman Black and Bobby Parks who are employed here as coaches. Bates moved out of Linden Suites, where he was billeted by the PBA, and checked in at another hotel in Mandaluyong. Player agent Sheryl Reyes, whose clients include Ren-Ren Ritualo and Alex Crisano, came to Bates’ rescue and negotiated a contract as a skills coach with the Philippine Patriots of the Asean Basketball League. Two other agents Matthew Manotoc and Marvin Espiritu are also helping out Bates.

“Some people I talked to said that all eyes will be on Billy in this new gig to see if he can perform the job well and if he does, maybe Billy will get a lot of attention from PBA teams,” wrote Fojas from San Francisco. “That remains to be seen. I’m just glad that he’s back in Manila and has a job. This will not have happened without the help of Philippine media.”

Fojas said Grosby, the brand that produced Bates’ signature “Black Superman” sneakers in the 1980s, is set to launch a retro version. “Grosby put him in a hotel for 10 days and they’re working on a contract related to

 releasing his retro shoes and other sports gear,” continued Fojas. “Matt Manotoc e-mailed and told me he’s going to help Billy in any way for nothing in return and it’s because of Billy’s ties to his dad (Tommy). I spoke with Billy long-distance and advised him to write an apology to the PBA on why he missed his scheduled flight back and why he decided to stay and seek opportunities in Manila. I’m happy that his dream to be back and work in Manila has become a reality.”