MANILA, Philippines - Lost in cyberspace, I have a year?s worth of digital photos and files waiting to be retrieved hopefully by some computer geek. Just last week, my iMac?s hard disk crashed. When the screen went blank, my electronic life flashed before my eyes! But as with any loss, I?ve learned to ?just let it go!? To help me move on, this week I want to write about cleansing, both in the real and cyber worlds.
I had failed to back up my files, so my first call was to Mac genius Elbert Cuenca. I went to visit him in his superb restaurant, Elbert?s Steak Room at Unit 3-A, an almost hidden walk up the side stairs of the Sagittarius Building at 111 H.V. De la Costa St. in Salcedo Village, Makati. If you?re lost, call 3393363 or make reservations at www.steakroom.com.

Aside from running this restaurant, which serves the metro?s most excellent, high-grade premium steaks (and some seafood specials for non-meat eaters like me), Elbert is the guru for fixing Mac-related problems. But a hard-drive crash is beyond even Elbert?s magic, so the only solution was to buy a new drive. On the bright side, my computer now has a virgin hard drive, clutter-free and cleansed of the old; ready for new files!

Life should have seasonal purgings, too. The easiest way to cleanse a closet is to have a garage sale, so I am having one next month, with all proceeds going to my Assumption Batch 81 Foundation. Parting is such sweet sorrow, yes, but an empty closet represents a shopping opportunity, so out with the old it is!

Flexible fitness apparel

For young and fresh style inspiration, I headed to The Ramp, boasting over 30 local and imported designer labels and cult brands. Key pieces by some of fashion?s young guns, such as Richie Ortega (United Pop), Reian Mata (Graxie) and Puey Quiñones (Vado), can be had here at surprisingly affordable prices. Even little ones, like my toddler Athena, can find sweet dresses and outfits from Thai kids? wear lines BBush and BebeBush.

The Ramp?s newest addition is Running Bare, an Australia-made, pretty yet hi-tech, active wear that makes you look good and maximizes your workouts with its latest innovations in fabric and cuts. The fabric really gives extra support in key areas like the chest and stomach, while keeping you cool.

All these great features come together in sleek cuts and modern neon colors that make Running Bare apparel flexible enough for yoga, gym or beach wear. In the Bikram yoga hot room, it?s wonderful to be in Running Bare as the clothes stretch as far as you can.

The latest addition to the Running Bare line is Platinum by Running Bare, a range that encompasses a lifestyle philosophy for women, synonymous with confidence, positive energy and physical awareness. It is amazing how what you wear can make you feel enhanced outside and rejuvenated inside. The Ramp Glorietta is at the 2/F Glorietta 3 in Makati. The Ramp Crossings Department Store has other fashion hubs at the Podium, Crossings TriNoma and Crossings Shangri-La Plaza.
Great nutrition

Another great, natural way to achieve that cleansed feeling is to take Nesvita products. Upon the invitation of my Baclaran churchmate, Nesvita PR man Jake Ramirez, I got up early to join the Miss Earth Philippines candidates at Fitness First in The Fort for the Nesvita Pro-Weight Management Work Out Day.

Representing various cities and provinces of the country, the ladies eagerly talked about their towns. The affair was like a Philippine history and geography class for me, as the young candidates educated me, including details about Obando?s fertility dances and Lipa?s being the Little Rome of the Philippines.

During the lunch at Italianni?s, I was introduced to the different products of Nesvita that are formulated for specific nutritional needs. On the side, Nesvita?s Gerard Poa read my palm, saying I needed to be more motivated and focused with my training. And like a true sales and marketing executive, he then segued to the many benefits of Nesvita ProHeart with Acticol, which lowers cholesterol by seven percent in 30 days, and Nesvita ProBone with Calcilock, which is calcium fortified for strong bones. I also met brand manager Trixie Sia, sister of my favorite Smart Infinity girl, Giselle Sia. Trixie handles Nesvita Pro-Digestion with Actifibras for natural cleansing.

Great children?s party

It?s really fun to talk triathlon with other health buffs. At the first birthday party of Kris Aquino and James Yap?s baby, James, I swapped tips with tanned and buff Raymart Santiago. The Barney-themed party at their stylish new home, designed by top architect Ramon Antonio, was filled with party kids and showbiz friends.

Best of all, it was wonderful to see Tita Cory looking well, and we all continue to pray for our former president?s health. Unfortunately, my show-biz baby Athena and I couldn?t stay long as we were headed to Anilao, Batangas for a scuba weekend.

New challenges

The newest multivitamin in the market, HAVitALL, has been actively promoting their product by inviting friends to take on new challenges. The invitation was a marvel of cute packaging, encouraging me to take up a new activity, like surfing, karting or even pottery making. Although I already scuba dive, I chose this activity so that I could bring along my husband, Dennis, and several of his friends from underwater hockey.

Dive Solana was our chosen resort, because of their friendly service and homey accommodations. In between the dives, we visited with agency bigwig Ichay Bulaong, who was spending her weekend on a personal social responsibility project with her family and friends?to help paint an underwater mural on the fence of the San Teodoro Elementary School in Barangay Mabini. The project organizer, Sandy Hammet, noted that the mural painting was part of Project Utay Utay, the barangay?s environmental initiative.

It?s great to see how many Pinoys find different ways of helping their communities. For me and the underwater hockey group, it was a great way to spend our HAVitALL weekend. Indeed, good deeds are cleansing for the soul!

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.