odi Sta. Maria is indeed getting to be noticed as a remarkable performer on TV and the movies. Interestingly, she became an even better actress after she got married (to Senator Panfilo Lacson's son Pampi).

Jodi Santamaria-Lacson is no stranger to public attention. Her naturally reserved and quiet disposition transforms into an impressive presence when TV cameras start to roll. Whether she plays the role of a contravida in a soap opera, a "multo" in the current TV sensation "Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara" or takes domestic role as a mother and wife, 25-year -old Jodi appreciates personal care products that can give her the confidence and assurance of good health.

"That's why Hype's offer to use their products was a welcome proposition. Having used it for quite some time now, I know they deliver on their promise to make my skin smoother, whiter and, generally, healthier. It assures me that I will be ready for whatever role I may be playing every day," says Jodi.

"Hype Gluta-C Intensive Whitening Soap and Lotion have really helped me even out the tone and writen my skin. Friends who have not seen me lately have complimented me on the remarkable improvement!"

Hype Gluta-C Intensive Whitening Soap and Lotion have been providing positive results not only for Jodi, but for a growing number of users. Vitamin C's proven whitening action, and Glutathione, both powerful and naturally-occurring anti-oxidants, provide maximum skin whitening and anti-aging benefits that result in healthier and more radiant akin.

For Jodi, using Hype has been indispensable regimen for keeping herself looking fresh and radiant everyday, no matter what challenges and tasks she faces each day. She admits to being "simple" and chooses a casual and easy lifestyle, preferring to wear comfortable clothes rather than trendy attires. "But", she admits, "I will not compromise my physical health nor beauty regimen. Being in showbiz industry, I know I always have to look my best. Hype's soap and lotion pretty much make up my regimen."

With more up and coming projects coming her way this Year of the Rat, it's no wonder Jodi projects an aura of quiet confidence and charm. Having just recently tucked away two indie films under her belt, and major film projects already being planned,- not to mention a growing list of business ventures together with hubby "Pampi" Lacson, she should be frazzled bundle of nerves by now. Instead, Jodi maintains and continues to shine. "I have to thank Hype for that," she adds. Let her billboards for Hype Gluta-C speak for her.

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‘Be healthy, eat raw food' what Rawfood Chef Cheloy Ignacio advices

If you treasure your health, you have to take care of what you eat. There had been many recommended diets that promote good health and make you lose all the unwanted pounds but Ms. Cherie Lou "Cheloy" Ignacio, there's nothing like eating raw food to make you healthy and feel and look great.

Cheloy should know what's she's talking about because she's now a certified rawfood chef, having studied in California to be one. This is why Cheloy, former model and "Ensaymada Queen," was away for four months.

"I am a living testimony to what I now preach - Being Healthy by Eating Raw Food - because I was healed and lost close to 20 pounds by my new diet of raw food," she said over an intimate dinner recently at her cozy unit in Parc Royale Condominium in Ortigas. She adeptly prepared the meals in front of us (Ricky Lo of Philippine Star, Nestor Cuartero of Tempo and this writer).

Cheloy has sold the rights to her Quickmelt Ensaymada business and now embarking on a new career, as a Rawfood Chef. As such, she holds lecture/demo on rawfood preparation at her place. Her "How to Live a Healthy Life by Living on Live Food" demonstrates how one can easily and inexpensively prepare his meals of raw food - without cooking and with just the use of the blender!

Cheloy holds classes for small groups only - 10 at a time. She holds two classes a day, the first at 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and at 3-9 p.m.

Other health programs she offers include cleansing and detox.

By eating raw foods, Cheloy said it is possible for you to cure yourself of all kinds of diseases, chronic and acute, within a short period of time like just a few weeks. "Imagine jumping out of your bed in the morning totally awake, vibrantly alive and much healthier than you ever felt before. No pain, no ailment, all illness and diseases gone. Imagine having boundless energy for every moment of the day, with a clear mind, and a feeling of inner peace and calm. Imagine that you are in the best shape of your life, with a healthy body, and free of any excess weight. This is all possible with the raw food diet," Cheloy said.

Raw and living food is uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains, explained Cheloy. Some other foods that fall under this category are seaweeds, raw carob powder, cold pressed olive oil, and certain spices and seasonings.

Cheloy added: "Giving up cooked food and switching to a raw and living food diet has helped so many people feel well for the first time in their lives. One of the most amazing things that I have witnessed is how quickly this can happen, you will notice changes within days. When you eat a raw and living food diet you are feeding your body and your cells live food filled with vitamins, enzymes and other life-giving substances that cooking destroys," Cheloy said.

What we enjoyed most at our dinner were the smoothie drink (made from bananas, spinach, almond milk, lemon, agave nectar, and buko jouce; Asian salad, the dressing of which was made from other vegetables, and mock salmon made from walnuts, bellpepper, and celery among others.

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‘Amazing Race' finale airs today

Three remaining teams will have to outpace and outwit each other as they perform grueling tasks, overcome language barrier, and find the best flight to their next destination to win in the season finale of "The Amazing Race" season 12.

Studio 23 will air the exciting final episode of the Emmy award-winning reality TV series live via satellite today, Jan. 21, 9 a.m. with a primetime telecast on Tuesday (Jan 22) 8:30 p.m.

Father and daughter team Ronald and Christina beat newly dating couple TK and Rachel and grandfather-grandson team Donald and Nicolas in the last leg. They rode acrobatics jeep and amphibian car, and walked bare feet on jagged stones before reaching the pit stop at the Chang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei .

Dating couple Nathan and Jen failed to overcome their differences as bickering slowed them in the final stretch of the leg. On the other hand, TK and Rachel recovered from the lost minutes spent in doing an additional task to finish in second place.

TK and Rachel had to do the Speed Bump, which required them run through a barrage of fireworks as penalty for arriving late in the previous leg. The Speed Bump and the Uturn are two new innovations introduced in TAR 12.

The three final teams would have traveled 30,000 miles around the world when they finish the race. The current season saw teams going to countries like Ireland , the Netherlands , Lithuania , Croatia , Burkina Faso , Italy , India , Japan , and the Republic of China.

Will the younger team of TK and Rachel be the next winners? Will the other teams make history as the first father-daughter or grandfather-grandson team to ever win in the race? Who will be the final team to cross the finish line?

Find out if age does matter in the race by catching the exciting finale of TAR 12 today, on Studio 23.

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