MANILA, Philippines?Let the women show you a thing or two about running a household, at the same time juggling the demands of career and/or kids, and yet managing to remain on top of the game... doing all these with ease and flair.

The consultant

Alexandra Lamb-Moran, or Sandy (to friends), attributes her Caucasian features to her Spanish-American genes, but ?claims? to be Pinoy at heart. And, as if her striking looks were not enough, let me tell you that when God was dishing out talent, she seemed at the front of the line.

She is one of those. In school, she was active in every major club, from the Student Central Board (an organization of student officers), to the guitar club, glee club . . .

She was even a platoon leader in Citizen Military Training (CMT), a (now-defunct) program that was a requirement for high school seniors in the bygone years.

She was also the ?champion? of our favorite lunchbreak sport, ?War Ball.?

Her athleticism was such that she was always the last one standing, while everyone else was already out. With the ball in her hands, and her eyes on you as her main target, there was nothing left for you to do but to try to run and hide. Because, with her great aim, the ball would surely find you.

Her friends and batchmates from school also recall her prowess in hard-court competitions, where, aside from cart-wheeling and such, her other specialties included doing a headstand and a split, so that her body formed the letter T in the school name.

That?s Sandy for you: leader, music-lover, athlete. But there?s more.

In banking

After college, her career path took her to New York and Hong Kong, where she had long, fulfilling stints in banking.

Moving back to the Philippines last year after 16 years in Hong Kong, Sandy decided to retire.

Recently, however, she was lured back to the workforce, with the promise that she would have flexible work hours, allowing her to attend her son?s after-school events at International School, and basically make family time her priority.

Now working for Renoir Consulting, a UK-based company specializing in business improvement programs, a typical work week for her can involve conference calls, client meetings, and presentations of programs.

Suits

Because her work entails travel, covering Southeast Asia, it necessitates that her wardrobe be comfortable, yet professional and elegant.

Suits dominate her choice of work clothes, sometimes worn with evening tops, making it easy for her to move from day to night. Knit pieces, which don?t crease, are perfect for a long workday.

Ten years ago, Sandy had a breast cancer scare, so that now being a wife to Francis, a finance wizard, and a mother to Jonathan, aged 14, are roles that she cherishes more.

This wife, mother, and career-woman still hits the tennis courts twice a week, and always looks forward to her family?s annual skiing trip to Whistler, Canada, or Zermatt, Switzerland.

Sandy?s contagious laughter and sense of humor, her positive energy and many accomplishments at work and at home, do not make her a desperate housewife after all. I?m sure you all agree.