Anti-Aging the Natural Way
By: Gina Lopez

A few months ago I put out an article on Florida. One of the people that enthusiastically emailed me was a doctor Cris Enriquez. He was elated because the picture I had put of Florida had a picture of a condominium in which he lived. He also said in his email that he had a clinic and was into natural based anti- aging.

Intrigued I called him up and ended up visiting his clinic on the 5th floor of Greenbelt 5. It's just beside this multi-awarded Eye Brow place - which my sister had been raving about. I ended up going to the eye brow place, and then found a really good salon (Studio Fix) nearby - owned by Ben Chan and managed by Alex Carbonnel. He does great hair dying. Interesting person. A philosophy major turned really good hair dresser....

Anyway back to health. At Rapha Medical Clinic I first did a series of tests. They have a machine called Ondomed that transmits electromagnetic frequencies and is able to assess on various levels the state of one's health. They took blood tests to assess my hormonal levels. I am turning senior this year so my hormonal levels were low, within range but low. He wanted to bring it up to youthful levels.

I decided to go for it: A two-month program wherein he assured me of vibrant health. What helped me make the decision was a call I made to Cory Quirino - who I had heard had done the program. Cory was a year ahead of me in high school. She has a radio program on DZMM. Our families were friends so I felt comfortable talking to her. She was effusive about the results. She said it addressed her mood swings and clarity of mind. She was effusive about his hormone replacement therapy. After making sure it was not animal hormones ( I don't like the idea of putting animal hormones in me), I went for it. Dr. Enriquez adds that his clinic is the only one using plant-based bio-identical hormones in the Philippines, which is effective with no known adverse or side effects.

Another factor in my decision was the doctor himself. When I asked him how old he was and he said over 70! - I was surprised! He didn't look it and more importantly he didn't FEEL it. I feel energy. The doctor felt totally healthy and upbeat. If you push for health procedures and you look sickly, it doesn't make for good marketing. Well this doctor makes for good marketing for whatever he is "pushing". In addition to that he has written several books and has won up to 7 awards from the American Medical Association!

Today is the finale of my two months coming here. It needed a real commitment to come here since I live and work in Quezon City, and Greenbelt seemed to me like the "other side of the world". The good news is that Dr. Enriquez will soon be setting up clinic in Quezon City as well - maybe somewhere in Banawe.

Two months. What has this been like? I go on this machine the Ondamed. I am quite healthy and full of energy - so the dramatic effects of machines are not easily felt on me because I am already well. However just before the beginning of the two month treatment, I had a bike accident and injured my right shoulder. I had to go to Florida for my son and the acupuncture at the hotel helped. However it still ached to the point of my not being able to sleep on my right side.

The Ondamed is amazing because now the pain is totally gone. I thought I would have to resign to this for the rest of my life. I am so pleased that I can function and sleep normally. The Ondamed has a slew of many other health benefits. It must work because to use it one has to reserve way ahead of time.

So I go on the Ondamed, and I also do Chelation. This is a process wherein through a drip all toxins are eradicated from the body. I have friends who do this regularly and they are strong in their support of the process. It was familiar terrain. What would happen is that I am so busy so the time in the clinic allowed me time to answer email, make my articles, plan, and even doze off which I probably needed. By the time the chelation was over I barely noticed it. The time just flies.

Dr. Enriquez also gave me testosterone and progesterone cream that had to be applied daily. I took cortisone pills and a capsule at night which led to very deep sleep.

I stuck to the regimen religiously. I figured if I am going to do something I might as well do it well.

I am pleased to let you know - that doing things well pays off. In the blood tests he showed me this afternoon, it seems like I am going to live 120 years! Meaning to say my hormonal levels are like that of a young person. Even more importantly I feel good. From a low of 60, my estradiol has zoomed to 298. My progesterone from 2 is now 25.10 (which is like that of a young person) and my testosterone is 1.4 - which is like a young person and I am way into post menopause. In other words, the regimen works!

I particularly like this doctor because of his bent on the natural processes. Instead of calcium he asked me to take yoghurt daily. I've added guyabano to my diet and I've found that together with yoghurt , it is very yummy!! He is also a strong advocate of celery, kamote and saba. For me taking things naturally makes lots of sense. Well if it works, it works... According to my blood tests, it works.


Me and Dr. Enriquez near the Ondamed in his clinic...

When I met him Dr. Enriquez gifted with me a book called Breakthrough by Suzanne Somers. It was on the New York Times Bestseller list. I resonate with the message of the book. In sum: The 8 steps to Wellness would probably sum up the health regimen bent of Rapha Medical Clinic.

1. Get Bio identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
2. Avoid chemicals and detoxify your body
3. Take nutrition seriously
4. Create a healthy GI tract
5. Avoid pharmaceuticals unless absolutely necessary
6. Supplement your diet
7. Exercise regularly
8. Get proper sleep.

My only comment to the above would be to add the importance of one's inner life. My experience in my life is that spirituality (one's inner life) has great health implications and vice versa. When one is healthy there is a direct effect on one's spirituality.

So if you are interested in aging gracefully, go to Greenbelt 5. Go to Rapha, pass by the Brow House right beside and on your way to the escalator make an appointment with Alex Carbonel.

Here are the contact details of Rapha Health Center: 09158232756 / 7573335. You may also email Dr. Cris Enriquez at dcris@raphahealth.ph

We have this life, lets live it well...

P.S. A fresh batch of green coconut vco has arrived in the office. This has been superb for my health. If you want some call Lea 09173162708 or email her at cattleya_victoria@abs-cbn.com. This is sososo good for health!! And the profit goes to the indigenous people of Palawan.

For more information email me at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.

WORLDBEX 2013

It’s been over a decade since Joseph Ang, Founder and Chairman of Worldbex Services International first had the ABS-CBN Foundation as the sole beneficiary of the 18th Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition – WORLDBEX 2013. It was a partnership that blossomed through the years. I’m excited for this year’s trade show, WORLDBEX has always been active in promoting sustainable construction efforts for the environment while putting on show the latest streak of eco friendly construction products that is highly certified to be green. There are so many activities lined up that even those who are not working in the building and construction industry could benefit on.

So, better get those minds ready for a well rounded and a multifaceted learning experience waiting for you this March 13-17 at the World Trade Center Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center.

Below is an excerpt from their press release:

Consistently loaded to the tip with inimitable highlights such as series of industry seminars, diverse galleries and pavilions, an all embracing product and technology display plus an interschool interior design competition, this year, Worldbex sets to give more as the expo takes another leap on its continuous pursuit of giving information through on the house interactive and simultaneous workshops and activities to be facilitated by design industry pros arranged in cooperation with the prestigious SoFA Design Institute and Wilcon Depot at the Philippine Trade Training Center.

Informative talks and symposiums about the current status and the latest issues of the Philippine Design Education and more will be arranged by the School of Fashion and the Arts or the SoFA Design Institute, as other exciting activities like safety proofing different home areas, basic tile cutting and flower arrangement techniques is set to be facilitated by Wilcon Depot. Other recognized industry personalities are also set to drop by and share their own slice of design expertise.