NOT BEING ABLE to wear clothes that I liked was frustrating,? said broadcaster Connie Sison of the reason she shed weight.

Connie proudly announced that she has lost 10 pounds without resorting to diet pills and by simply exercising. ?I used to be thin. When I gained, I figured I?d get back to my ideal weight eventually. However, it took me five years to decide that I had to exert some real effort. I was so happy with my work back then kasi. I was focused on running our restaurant business (Masas at Greenbelt 2 in Makati). Can you imagine the temptation? Ang sarap kumain.?

When Connie started TV work again, she also went to work on becoming more fit. ?I had to look presentable. I was afraid I would no longer fit the TV screen,? quipped Connie, anchor of ?News on Q,? the nightly news program on Channel 11.

Saturdays at 6 a.m., Connie is the host of ?Pinoy M.D.,? the newest health and beauty show on GMA 7. She is also one of the hosts of the daily morning magazine program, ?Unang Hirit.?

?Now I can wear fitted tops and dresses. I used to wear only lose-fitting ones. I really became a sloppy dresser. Nawalan kasi ng gana magdamit nang maganda,? Connie admitted. ?I think that, aside from being health-conscious, what motivated me was the idea that I had to look my best when at work.?

Clothes

Jelly Bean provides me with the casual outfits that I wear in ?Unang Hirit.? They?re light-colored and comfortable. When you?re facing the viewers or interviewing somebody, people notice if you?re not at ease. I wear Karimadon for ?Pinoy M.D.? -- mostly one-piece outfits that I accessorize with belts. I prefer cotton fabrics, ?yung maganda ang bagsak. I like cow-neck and V-neck blouses. Broadcasters can?t flaunt much more than their necks and shoulders so I pick outfits with these cut of necklines.

I have more than 40 pairs of black pants. Madali kasi bagayan. I also like gray. I?m very Hispanic and I have big hips. I try to hide them by wearing dark-colored pants.

I also love cardigans, especially when covering news stories?pantakip sa braso. I have it in all colors.

Your outfits have to reflect your personality. Don?t wear super short skirts if you can?t pull it off. Clothes should also match your kind of work. I wear casuals in ?Umagang Kay Ganda?; for news coverage, I pick more rugged clothes. For ?News on Q? and ?Pinoy M.D.,? I wear dresses. Pepsi Herera makes my outfits for ?News on Q.?

Shoes

It?s normal for me to bring several pairs of shoes everyday. For coverage, I have three pairs of pumps that I use alternately. For studio work, I wear stilettos and strappy shoes that match my dresses. I remember in 2001, I was sent to cover an event at Erap?s (former president Joseph Estrada) home on Polk Street. I had just come from the studio and didn?t have anything to wear for coverage. I was wearing stilettos. Nagkagulo! but I managed. I realized that, if the situation calls for it, magagawan naman ng paraan.

Books

I have a number of books at my bedside. One of them is ?Happier than God: Turn Ordinary Life into an Extraordinary Experience? by Neale Donald Walsh. We sometimes tend to feel guilty when our lives are perfect and we?re super happy. The book tells us that it?s really okay; that?s what God wants for us.

?His Needs, Her Needs,? by Willard Harley, is all about married life. ?101 Stories for Answered Prayers,? by Jeannie St. John Taylor, is a compilation of modern miracles, of seemingly impossible things that happened because of God.

I have friends who are very much into the ?Twilight? series (by Stephenie Meyer). I can?t find the time to read them. I prefer true-life stories and biographies. I like books that can make me a better person.
Scents

I like Bulgari Petit Moma and Gotas de Oro. I like to smell like a baby, like I just stepped out of the shower.

Bags

I buy some designer bags for myself. I consider them my rewards. I?m currently coordinating with Gawad Kalinga for a fund-raising project. We will ask some of our celebrity friends to donate a few of their handbags. We will then convert them to cash and give the money to Gawad Kalinga. ?Handbags of Hope: Donate Your Bags, Design a Future? will happen in October. With just one bag, you can build a decent house for one family.

Accessories

I buy my accessories anywhere. When I see a really nice necklace or bracelet, I buy it even if it?s from a bazaar. Again pick things that suit your personality. If you?re the type who loves plain shirts, then use bolder accessories. But if you need to go to a more formal occasion, like a wake, you tone it down.

I also love bangles. I prefer them in silver and gold. I get them from Karimadon. Joy Lim of Charms and Crystals also provide me with accessories. She makes really good ones.

Jewelry

I get most of my jewelry from Goldenhills Jewelry. I have several pieces with topaz, my birthstone. I collect jewelry because I have two girls?Danielle and Gabrielle. Someday, I?d like to pass on to them what I?ve collected, just like my mom did.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph