Wedding Supplier Spotlight: Flower Matters

In the recent events where I was the make up artist for fabulous people, I had the opportunity to work alongside talented photographers and videographers, awesome couturiers, and efficient coordinators. It was noteworthy that in almost all of the events, one supplier was a consistent favorite among clients- Flower Matters.

The exceptional events styling capabilities of Flower Matters can bring to life concepts that used to be just a dream. Truly, attending an event handled by Flower Matters can be a surreal experience. I was pleased to learn that a fellow doctor is one of the key personalities behind the successful venture, an eloquent one at that. I was happy to find a colleague doing well in the wedding business, but even more delighted to know that he is very accommodating and witty articulating his thoughts.

Dr. Don Avila Duero is an internist from Cagayan de oro who is also one of the creative minds behind Flower Matters. He says that doing business on the side provides him a larger canvas to explore and a more adventurous career path. At the same time, he credits it to his medicine degree the abilities to understand people better and approach them properly. With his crazy schedule, I was fortunate enough to be given this chance to interview him for this blog feature. People are landing on my blog searching for Flower Matters, so I feel I have a duty to provide you with more information about their services.

Here is our little chitchat with Dr. Don Duero:

Who are the people behind Flower Matters?

The people behind FM (Flower Matters) are a team of talented and creative individuals; sensitive and insightful to the needs of our clients. Mr. Erbie Misa with several years in floral arrangement executes my conceptual ideas, which are based on the needs and stipulations of the client. Our creative team of men and women are adept at creative applications and design execution.

How did you end up in event styling? Were you always this creative?

I would like to think that every individual can be creative; but my getting into event styling stems from a keen eye for detail and harmonious use of materials to come up with a style unique for each and every client FM cater to.

Who or what are your inspirations for coming up with grandiose designs?

Every project that is undertaken by FM for clients is looked upon as a challenge of not only pleasing the wishes of the client but making certain that the event, and execution of the design pertinent to the event, is wonderfully memorable for the client.

Do you still practice as a physician? Given the choice between being a doctor and an event stylist, which would you prefer?

I have been practicing as an internal medicine specialist in CDO for the past 8 years. My stint as creative guru of Flower Matters some 4 years back was a pleasant surprise not only to myself but came about as a relief valve of some sorts from the rigors of medical practice. Most of the time we are interacting with patients. We have little social life. The hospital/clinic atmosphere is filled with depression and agony where we spend most of our time. On the other hand, a business atmosphere is lively and dynamic. One is constantly interacting with large number of individuals and with every communication, he is learning new things.

So when they ask me why do some doctors leave the scalpel for corporate boardrooms? Personally, the business world where i am in now helps me remove my mental blocks and gives me wider perspective, making me receptive to change. Before, I had a very tubular vision, but the new atmosphere altered it. So far, I have managed to thrive in both endeavors quite adequately. And happily…I am a Physician by profession but perhaps an event stylist by design (pun intended).

What’s the best part about running Flower Matters?

The best part of the business is not only being able to satisfy the needs of our clients but seeing that the concept agreed upon by us and the client satisfies the event, making an excellent mark on their guests. This translates on a job well done for us at FLOWER MATTERS.

What’s the most challenging part? How do you deal with demanding clients?

Every project undertaken by Flower Matters  is a challenge we at FM deem necessary if only to satisfy the creative needs of our clientele. It is our delight to please and try to address demands made by our clients – this is paramount in our business philosophy of not only catering to the needs of the clients but also to be able to meet his or her demands within the scope of his budgetary parameters.

If a client wants to avail of your services, does he/she have to be wealthy to afford it?

We welcome EVERYONE who are discerning in their creative and event needs – and those who demand the best that FLOWER MATTERS can offer. They may reach us at telephone number 0919-835-2479 or email us at Flower_Matters@yahoo.com, or message me at my facebook account drdonduero@yahoo.com, or perhaps visit our shop at the following areas:

Cagayan de Oro:
Ground Floor of Maternity Hospital, infront of Gaston Park, J.Gaerlan St, Cagayan de Oro City

Butuan:
M.Calo St., fronting United Bookstore, Butuan City.

Below are some pictures of the events that they handled. These might convince you to have your wedding in Cagayan de Oro even if you’re from some place else because it’s in CDO  where the rates are lower but the quality of services rendered are world-class:

City-dwelling hipster theme for Carrot and Hadj Wedding. Photos by Bon Aserios:

Nautical setting for Aikaye Bollozos’ Debut. Photos from Dr. Duero:

Nikka and Jeremy Heavenly Wedding. Photos from Dr. Duero:

Pretty sight for débutante Camille Montesines. Photos from Dr. Duero:

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Charice and Botox

International singing sensation Charice recently went for Thermage and  Botox treatment at the Belo Clinic in preparation for her entry into the hit television series, “Glee”.

Controversies spring regarding her Botox injection at the young age of 18 .  Had it been a Caucasian actress of the same age going for the procedure, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But this was Charice, one of Oprah’s most talented kid discoveries who may be 18 but looks like she just graduated from grade 6. Fans are worried that she may be too young for the treatment commonly performed on older people.

Celebrity doctor Vicky Belo advised the popstar to undergo the said procedure because of Charice’s contant chewing of bubblegums.  The  singer’s representative says she complains of jaw pains. Botox, according to Dr. Belo, blocks the electrical impulses that tell the facial muscles to contract. Now I wonder how the muscle relaxation would affect Charice’s singing.

Let us get acquainted with this popular aesthetic treatment sought after by many celebrities. What does it do and why does it seem to be a standard procedure they have to go through?

What is Botox?

Botox is the registered name of Botulinum toxin, a protein complex derived from a bacteria called Clostridium difficile. There are about 7 strains of the toxin and 4 of them are known to cause disease in humans.  Food poisoning caused by these toxins, called Botulism can lead to paralysis and death.  But  how is a toxin beneficial to beauty?

Botox Background

Taking note of the paralysis side effect of botulinum toxins, scientists diluted it in amounts that could potentially be useful to the health and cosmetic industries. In 1960’s , they used strain A in an experiment to treat crossed eyes. The US Food and Drug Administration approved it 20 years after, as a treatment for strabismus (crossed eyes) and for spasms of the eyelid muscles. Patients who were treated for these conditions were noted to have pleasantly reduced crow’s feet  and wrinkles near the eyes, as a side effect.  To confirm the findings, clinical trials were done, which subsequently lead to the approval in 2002 of Botox A as a temporary relief for facial wrinkles. In 2004, it was also approved as treatment for excessive underarm sweating.

Who Benefits From Botox?

As you may have observed, patients who usually avail of Botox treatments are older people who show signs of aging (read: wrinkles). Lately, individuals suffering from excessive underarm sweating have been shown to benefit from the toxin as well. The uses of Botox are evolving as  newer clinical indications get approved by the FDA. In March of this year,  Botox got the nod as  a treatment for spasticity of the flexor muscles of the elbows, wrists and fingers in adults, usually in those afflicted with stroke, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis.

Other less known cosmetic uses are brow lifting,  facial slimming and contouring of the legs, which is why younger people likewise submit to the treatment. As for Charice, the indication is said to be Bruxism or clenching of the teeth caused by spasticity of the facial muscles.

Microneedles and disposable syringes are used to inject the toxin . Some degree of pain may be present but it’s an outpatient procedure. They can resume normal activities after the trip to the Doctor’s clinic.

How does it work?

Through our nerve endings, the brain tells the facial muscles to contract or relax. This creates facial expressions like laughter or frown. Repeated facial expressions cause wrinkles to be visible over time. Botox treatment works by attaching itself to nerve endings, preventing the release of the neurotransmitter  called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is responsible for triggering the muscles to contract. The signals telling the facial muscles to move are blocked, thereby making the muscles relax for a long period of time. Acetylcholine likewise carries signals from the sympathetic nervous system to the sweat glands to stimulate sweat production. Blockage of the acetylcholine achieves control of hyperhidrosis, at least for the underams.

Are the effects permanent?

No,  because the effects of Botox injection lasts for about 3 to 4 months.  So after around this time, you can smile and frown again like you used to do, or you may set an appointment with your doctor for another session.

Risks

Injecting poison into your face can indeed come with risks. Some of the reported side effects include drooping of the eyelids (if targeted near the eye area), headache with double vision,  twitching of the eyes, flu-like symptoms, stomach upset, and mild swelling and redness at the injection site. Serious side effects include the spread of the toxin to distant sites and breathing difficulties. All of these could be lessened, if not avoided, under the hands of an experienced and competent doctor.

Cost

A vial of Botox costs around $4oo.. It could be used for 4 to 5 treatments  a few hours after opening, after then, it has to be discarded. A session can cost from $200 to $500, depending on your location, the experience of the doctor handling the procedure, and the reputation of the clinic.

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Getting In Shape For Your Wedding Day

MUA n Scrubs Note: The following article is a guest post by Sasha Britton on interval training as an effective way for a sexier you on your wedding day.

The time between your engagement and wedding are no doubt a whirlwind of planning, and even having a lot of help from other people still leaves most brides-to-be wishing to add more hours to the day. In addition to the many appointments, there is still gym time to be logged, and unfortunately for many of us, this may get pushed down the list. Whether you work with a trainer or on your own, there’s always the need to get more results in less time. Lately, experts have been reminding us about interval training, which gives the busiest among us hope for even better gym pay off. Although fitness advice seems to change all the time, serious athletes and Olympians have been doing interval training for decades, and seeing about twice the results of a regular cardio workout. It’s beginning to come into the spotlight again, with people having less and less time to fit a traditional workout into their day. An article on NY Times online says experts believe adding interval training just a few days a week will show great improvements in fat burning and endurance as opposed to a long continuous cardio workout. These studies have been done with young adults (in varying degrees of physical fitness) using stationary bikes and treadmills. The results showed that all subjects saw about a 36% increase in fat burned in a short interval training session as opposed to longer moderate cardio session.

Experts believe results like these can be duplicated on various pieces of fitness equipment and outdoor activities. While there isn’t an exact plan to stick to, you could cut your hour or so moderate session to 25 minutes, consisting of 4minute bursts with 3 minutes of recovery in between. It could also be 1 minute bursts with 3 minutes recovery. What’s important is that you experience intense times of working at about 85% capacity, and then moderate to light exertion to get the heart rate almost back down to normal before starting the cycle again.

The fat burning and cardiovascular results are shown to be evident in just a few weeks, so even if you are in the final wedding countdown, you could surely benefit from the boost switching to intervals would provide. Remember that it’s important to warm up beforehand, and that while you should feel breathless, you don’t want to work your self to exhaustion. Those of you who work out on your own or have home gyms can consult a doctor or trainer for further advice and recommendations that are personalized to your fitness level, schedule, and goals.

Sasha is a writer with the outreach team at Gym Source. Before startingthere, she wrote about fashion and beauty, which often included bridal topics. She now enjoys a more fitness-minded focus, while touching on her previous topical knowledge whenever possible.

If you’re interested in becoming a guest author at this blog, please leave a message using the contact form above.. thanks.
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Nikka and Jeremy Prenup

Nikka was among my first few models upon my return from Manila after my makeup schooling. At that time, I didn’t know where to find local photographers who were willing to do an an X-deal to build my portfolio. I asked Nikka for her suggestion and through text she quickly retorted ,  ”Dustein Sibug.”  If not for Nikka, until now I would have been struggling to take my own photos to document the make up works that I do. Despite efforts to polish the makeup, there’s no way I could come up with pictures as fabulous as the ones in my multiply portfolio without a certified photographer skillfully capturing the beauty I enhanced.

Nikka is getting married soon and she asked me to be her makeup artist. Nikka and Jeremy, her groom-to-be, did a prenup pictorial a few weeks ago with the master photographer, Dustein Sibug. Here are some beautifully taken shots during their engagement shoot. My job prettifying the soon- t0- be bride was a breeze as she was already lovely to start with.

Photos were taken by Dustein Sibug. For more pics, please visit his website at  http://www. dusteinsibug.com

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Food Trip: Thai Me Up Restaurant

Residents of Cagayan de Oro were introduced to the delectable Thai culinary culture upon the opening of Thai Me Up restaurant late last year. Since then, it has been  a must-visit dining hub among friends, families and those on a vacation in CDO. The small function room is where some business meetings, social gatherings and lectures are held.

During one of my visits, I took pictures and made some observations. The marketing strategies of the establishment are undoubtedly good, but is it worth all the hype?

Strong Points:

Parking Space

Being located in a 2,000 square meters lot, they took efforts to provide a spacious and secure parking area. I appreciate restaurants that keep the comfort of their customers in mind. Their location is in a busy street where jeepneys rush by and then stop abruptly in the middle of the street. It’s a good thing to dine without worrying what’s happening to your vehicle outside.

Pork Spare Ribs Php170

Bagoong Fried Rice Php 150

No Brownouts and Free Wifi

Outside the restaurant is a sign that says “Brownout-free.”  For local residents who know how it is to suffer from power interruptions for 5 straight hours daily, this definitely is a plus point for Thai Me Up. Online workers like me who are affected with the crisis can always run to their place and enjoy their free wifi zone.

Spicy Pork Salad Php 150

Cozy Ambiance

The superb interior design and Thai fixtures everywhere will virtually transport you to Thailand during your meal. Our favorite spot is a kiosk where we could comfortably sit on the floor, just right for the low-level tables  typical of Asian dining set-ups. Those with arthritis can always choose a regular table.

Affordable Yummy Food

What else could be  a more important factor for any restaurant than its food? Thai Me Up earns my thumbs up for its flavorful array of dishes that  gets me hungry just by looking at the pictures I took.  Thai cuisine is known to be spicy, sweet, salty and sour. Thai Me Up strikes a balance  capturing these elements into their dishes, to the delight of our taste buds.  It doesn’t hurt the wallet too, because the prices are made affordable. Among my favorites are the Tom Yang Goong (Hot and Sour Prawn Soup) (Php 185), Pepper Squid (Php 145), Spicy Pork Salad (Php150), Beef in Basil Sauce (Php 160)  and Thai Me Up Noddles (Pancit Canton) (Php 130).

Thai Me Up Noodles Php 130

Thai Me Up Cooler Php 150

Weak Points

Small Servings

With affordability comes its trade-offs . Each serving is good for about 2-3 persons only so don’t expect to be satisfyingly stuffed when you come out after a meal with the family. On the bright side, the price allows you to order a variety of dishes just so you can try a little of everything.

Service

I would have been all rave for Thai Me Up except for some inconsistencies in their services. It’s nice that the guard courteously escorts us to a suitable parking space and  the crew welcomes us warmly, but that’s about it. Towards the middle of our meal, no one was nearby the  Kiosk to attend to our needs. We wanted our second pitcher of Thai Me Up Cooler to be served and water for our glasses but our necks were sticking out looking for a waiter to serve us. All our food were about to be consumed  when we finally got somebody to follow up our order.  It took around 30 minutes to be served along with the water to save us from choking. When it was time for dessert , it was another long wait that had to take 5 times to remind different waiters to serve it already. I didn’t know they had to travel to Davao to get our Durian Cheesecake.

It’s also disheartening to point out that at another time, my parents went to the restaurant and waited for around 10 minutes on their table to be attended to. When a Caucasian couple sat nearby, the crew immediately rushed to take their orders while my parents were still unattended. They fled and looked for another dining place.

Overall Assessment

I’d still recommend the place, if only they train their people more because their food makes me want to keep coming back. The  good points clearly outnumber the weak points but in the end, the gravity of quality service remain a strong determining factor in keeping the loyalty of customers.

Thai Me Up is located at corner of Capistrano and Mabini streets in Cagayan de Oro City. For reservations, you may call them up at 738424 or 310.8424.

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