SINOSIKAT's Kat Agarrado Releases New Single "Heart Calling"

Looks like the heavens are conspiring when it comes to Kat Agarrado as she attempts another shot with her music. This is still with Sinosikat, a rebuilding, a new start, stemmed by her love for music. She still never thinks about her looks (though she's quite blessed with it), and puts her efforts now in making more songs so a new generation would be able to listen to it. Sinosikat doesn't have permanent band members, it's her instincts that kick in and choose them to play with her, a different setup but works.

Kat says "My goal is to make people listen to timeless pieces, that even when we're old, there's substance, and they can still listen to it. Before I was doing rock elements, but now it's more polished, matured, the arrangements now will have horn sections. My dream is to make Sinosikat a wider audience, a younger one, to put our music in other countries. I want to do that especially when I get to network with bands and producers there, because they appreciate it but just lack exposure. Our music is world class, just like Filipinos." 

She adds "I hope to also join more international festivals, and become global. I think the youth now has lots of venues to listen to music, that's good and I would like to do collaborations with artists like Lola Amour, a indie artist named Isla, there's a ton that I see on YouTube. I'm sure they have a lot to offer, fresh ideas to contribute especially for the next singles."

Here's part of the interview we did with her during the launch

Kat continued to write songs about love, about family, a bit slow but she admits just doing it at her own pace. She also does standard songs and do Filipino versions so she wouldn't get rusty. She also writes about her friends, or things she experienced during the pandemic. Though this time, she finds it divine for everything that seemed to fall into place. From Pinoy Soul Records, to Warner Music Philippines, to her own studio, this is her way to help other artists too. This is a new beginning for her, her re-introduction of Sinosikat. 

PS Heard the single just now, and I like how groovy it sounded. It's like her being hungry to do more, I would liken it to the music of international girl group "All Saints", but it's only her on vocals. Amazing!

Go stream her new single "Heart Calling" on digital platforms and get smitten with Pinoy Soul all over again. Be part of her fresh start!

SPARKLE Sweethearts Promise "Kilig" in GMA Shows This 2022

You're surely going to love the new breed of talents coming from SPARKLE, GMA's home grown talents that will surely make your heart flutter. Recently, they just had us talk to the new love teams you should watch out for in GMA programs this 2022.

Taking on the job of making that "kilig" happen this year is Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara (who both starred in I Left My Heart in Sorsogon), Jamir Zabarte and Zonia Mejia (both of which I loved seeing in Heartful Cafe), Abdul Raman and Shayne Sava (who did hit show Legal Wives), Bruce Roeland and Althea Ablan (who you adored in Prima Donnas), and Allen Ansay and Sofia Pablo (who are also in the same show!). Dubbed as SPARKLE Sweethearts, they're going to bring love and romance once again on TV shows lined up for them in the Kapuso network.

If you wish to know what they did last February for their respective Valentines day celebrations, here's a video we prepared which was taken during a recent blogcon for the pairs.

To make sure you're updated with the latest news about GMA artists, susbscribe to YouTube.com/kumagcow and GMA's social channels. I'm sure there'll be more of these artists appearing in different shows very soon! Now tell me, who among them looks promising?

CSMC Answers: Where do broken hearts go?

Just got off the webinar of Cardinal Santos Medical Center this morning. They dared answer the question "Where do broken hearts go?" and asked several doctors about it. The Philippines experienced high numbers of heart disease in Asia, even beating US numbers as far as occurrence goes, and educating ourselves about the condition is a good thing.

Dr. Rucci Cruz discussed the "Broken Heart Syndrome" and she says it is different from heart failure. There are two types of it namely "Heart Failure with reduced left ventricular function or reduced ejection fraction and Heart Failure with preserved left ventricular function." Prevalence is 1.6 on Philhealth claims in 2014, around 1,648 cases in every 100000 claims. Most common cause for it was Hypertension and hospital stays can last up to one week or 5.9 days. Per year, they also stay there around 3-4 times and overall in hospital mortality is 9%."

She adds "According to studies, causes of heart failure fall into these categories. Coronary Heart Disease, Faulty Heart Valves, Cardiomyopathy and High Blood Pressure. Heart failure happens if your heart can't pump blood and causes it to overflow into your lungs. Often, they get shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, difficulty lying down, swollen ankle and legs, and extreme lack of energy. Risks come from family history, hypertension, obesity, age, and excessive alcohol drinking, diabetes, smoking, inactive lifestyle and sleep disorders."

"Broken Heat syndrome really happens, caused by a response to stress which decreases the heart's ability to pump, mostly it happens to men. Medication can be given to lessen stress as it has increased during the pandemic. Make sure you consult your doctor so they can advise what to do, the next steps and resolve it. ECG's, chest xray, blood tests so they can find its severity. These are all available in Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Heart failure is not a death sentence, you don't have to wait, timing is critical so they can diagnose and reverse it. You have to see your doctor right away."

Dr. Ariel Miranda the Chairman of the Cardiovascular Institute says "Listening to the first two speakers was just like listening to our children. I'm a proud father, they've become the future of our mission. In the 90's the treatments was just beginning and we have definitely evolved. Heart disease is increasing in Asian countries. Of all deaths, 1 in 3 is due to heart conditions. It's a combination of lifestyle choices and poor education/delivery of services. Patients have typical symptoms, but they fear going to the hospitals. They are afraid spending a lot, but treating it early is essential. Patients should go to doctors without delay as heart attack needs to be given attention as soon as it is felt because prolonging it will increase damage and heart failure. It shouldn't be taken lightly."

What do you do when a heart attack happens?

"Fat deposits that clot can be done via Angioplasty. There are less than 50 cath labs in Manila and about 60 Million Filipinos. We need to have preventive cardiology. We are working with Philhealth so they can provide packages that will address these problems so we can reduce the number of Filipinos developing it."

 Is this the best time to consult your doctor? Yes, mostly if you are Male and 45 years old and above, you should get checked. Screening should be done 40 years old in US guidelines, a yearly consultation, stress test if possible. The disease doesn't happen overnight, it takes years for it to accumulate especially if you have family history of heart disease. The prevalence of heart disease in the Philippines is larger than our Asian neighbors and the US. 

Dr. Ariel Miranda added "Innovations in cardiology has been so much especially in the field of preventive cardiology. In the past few years there have been advancements and there are so much information about it out there. All good for us, heart attack is a silent killer, unless you are shown the numbers, and feel pain, that's important. It only means the body is responding to extreme blood pressure. We are very careful in doing healthy guidelines, sometimes even level 4. "


CSMC is ready and have adapted to the needs for more rooms especially for non covid cases. To ensure the safety of patients, they have separate areas that have other staff to accept them, ensuring the safety as there is screening, they know where to direct them accordingly. Where do broken hearts go? The hospital of course when needed. 

Get yourself checked people! Especially if you have family history and fall under the age of 40 and above. Cardinal Santos Medical Center has the doctors and facility to take care of you when it happens.

A Stellar Shopee Show Before 11.11

It's a good day to be alive as shopping app giant Shopee places their foot where their mouth is as they present this years pre-holiday sale in a huge TV show on GMA Network. This is the first of it's kind and it will happen today, this Sunday at 10:30pm and we got a taste of what that would be a few days ago.

The show will include GMA's brightest as Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza and Heart Evangelista is going to be part of this. Aside from that, several more stars, and the Christmas song king Jose Mari Chan himself singing the Shopee jingle to delight people like you and me!

Now I don't wanna spoil anything for you, but hundreds of merchants have been preparing for this so YOU can have the fun shopping experience you need when the clock strikes 12! Why are we even talking about this, go make preparations later when it happens, if it happens because I will be there too in the studios to live blog about it.

Stay updated by following @kumagcow on all social media channels because we're gonna give it to you! I heard Pacquiao will be there too, maybe more, don't say I didn't tell you eh?!

KUMAGCOW

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Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp at BGC

I don't normally go super early mornjng events but I felt a Sunday walk wouldn't be that bad with these guys and gals. Just recently, Golden FIesta held the Golden Fiesta Heart Health Camp at the 30th Park in Taguig so early dwellers from all around BGC and nearby places had the chance to work out with real deal fitness coaches and fitness driven celebrities. 

I saw Ana Roces, Anton Del Rosario, Jun Macasaet, Sam Ajdani paired up and were pitted against each other in activities in time trials to see who wins in the workout regimens that the coaches prepared for them that morning.

They were also joined by newly revived boyband 1:43 and whisked away by Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico as they went head to head complete with trash talk in a funny energetic mood that morning. I would vote Nico for president after that morning's activities.

Earlier, Golden Fiesta Canola Ool also had nutritionists, medical experts and their sales representatives took time to also join the program while Chefs showed hearty healthy meals and prepared it with Golden Fiesta Canola Oil which is a healthier alternative to your usual cooking oil. 

We've been Facebook friends forever since Philippine Fashion Week days but Sam Ajdani looks so good in person. He also is part of Nico Bolzico's team who eventually won the time trials. Congratulations guys!

The event was open to the public and aside from getting their eyes full with the stars and models, they also got a treat from Golden Fiesta Canola Oil because they also had FREE body BMI assesment right there at the venue. They also had nutritionists as consultants so they could prepare healthy meals and tell them good news about the lovely benefits of phytoresol that reduces the bad cholesterols in the body. :)

Now isn't that nice? Well they're also doing this in other places in the metro so if you want to catch it please go to the Nutriasia or Golden Fiesta Facebook page because it's all there!

KUMAGCOW

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The Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp

It must have been with good reason that they're doing this because if it's about health, they've got to put their money where their mouth is. I love Canola oil and I've been cooking with it for a few years now. With the health benefits you get from it, it must have surpassed your expectations most specially if you cook for your family from morning, noon and night. Our friends from NutriAsia knows how important it is to keep healthy so in order to promote one of their products Golden Fiesta, they are holding the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp this November 11, that's tomorrow Saturday at the Solenad 1 grounds in Nuvali Laguna. 

If you want to join just simply sign up at the Solenad 1 Flex Lot 6AM on the day itself so you can join the various activities, workouts and regimens they prepared for you so you could jumpstart your healthy lifestyle despite your busy life. The event will only last up until 11am so you better be there early. It will be facilitated by fitness buff and Chef Jose Sarasola and executives from NutriAsia.

They will also be doing this in other places in different dates like Bonifacio Global City on November 26, and ETON Centris on December 3. For more updates on the different legs, make sure you like their Facebook page at "GoldenFiestaPH". There's no excuse for not living healthy, and watching what you eat because it falls on how good your choices are right from the moment you spend in the market.

I might drop by tomorrow so see you!

KUMAGCOW

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Philippine Airlines Shows "Heart of the Filipino"

Had a wonderful time with the people from Philippine Airlines during their bloggers night at Revel - Palace in BGC. In attendance were mostly travel bloggers, some fashion bloggers, lifestyle bloggers and influencers from different parts of the Philippines and it was nice to see everyone in one place. The occasion was hosted by Robi Domingo and one of PAL's executives. We were there to witness some really good new advertisements that they're coming out with this year geared towards Filipinos, OFW's, those who are living abroad and foreigners too. This time, they're concentrating on continuing the legacy of Philippine Airlines as the country's official flag carrier and state the reasons why they are who they are. 

Here's a video I made during the event!

The actual advertisements they launched included world class Filipino singers Sarah Geronimo, Ms. Lea Salonga and rockstar Bamboo. Little did we know Philippine Airlines had a trick up their sleeves as Bamboo performed on stage right after the reveal. Here's part of that performance that the bloggers and online media enjoyed!

Watch out for more of these efforts from Philippine Airlines to appear not only in different newspapers, international news agencies, large billboards in different countries showcasing different tourist spots and the important message their bringing this 2016 that there's no greater thing that would impress visitors in the country, than the Filipino Heart.

Thank you so much to Philippine Airlines for having me, my friends and this club! Haha! I had so much fun!

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My Promise to Live Well

I've been contemplating on writing about this but I just had the time to do so during my trip to General Santos and Davao. It's almost Christmas in a few days and we probably have one or more things in mind that we want to have during this season. I already bought stuff for Mum and Dad. It's something simple but not that expensive. Even though you can say that I'm a little brandish and a heavy shopper, they always taught me that it's not the price that matters... it's the thought that comes with it.

I didn't have anything specific to wish for this year but I have quite a long list of "things to do" and I wanted to accomplish some items on my bucket list as well. This trip was part of it but I had a habit of forgetting one thing while on vacation, that's my diet LOL. Traveling to remote places like this require you to also try their cuisine. I've tried so many dishes even if I've stayed only a week in this place but I always remember what I promised my folks when I left home. To always keep it healthy, to make sure my diet keeps in check because the last time I had a checkup, the doctor already told me I've gone past (or maybe still is) borderline high blood pressure and diabetes. I should always check on my self and watch what I eat so I won't have these things to worry about. The problem is, even if I only stayed a couple of days in Davao and General Santos City... I got these on the shelves of the restaurants for lunch and dinner!

Now how can I say no to that? Well, aside from getting the needed exercise and the cut on calorie intake which I have done successfully in the last few weeks... I felt I needed a break from all of that and live a normal life. It is after all my promise and I wouldn't want to see my folks see my demise at a very young age. It's not as good as I want things to end obviously; and I think I haven't achieved much professionally. I took the initiative to eat healthy, go back to the gym and have a few things up my sleeves that can get me have greater health. This 4 in 1 pill that's got Hawthorn Berry, Ginkgo Biloba, Garlic Oil, and Lemon Balm named Circulan promises good health. If you have seen it on TV or read about it on news papers, you're probably a skeptic like me. Though I've seen a relative that got great results from this and gave it a go. If I'm breathing better and won't have the chance of getting heart ailments because of dietary supplements like these... I will take it because I deserve to live longer. This is my promise to my loved ones and I'm sure they won't get disappointed when the time comes. How about you? Have you made the choice of living well and never breaking promises in the coming year? Tell me about it. Let's see if it does wonders for you too!

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"Living Life in Full Circle" by:Circulan

The Promise Of Good Health

One of the world's most hated subject to talk about (in my case) is health. I don't know if I'm still in denial. Honestly, I've been contemplating to let people know how I've been doing since I've pretty much hit it all. I've got weight problems to deal with, high blood pressure plus my sugar readings are off the chart. I won't tell you the specifics... but in a nutshell, no matter how much people tell me I still look good... the reality is; I have all these things to worry about.

Then, lo and behold I got a reality check last week. My Dad was rushed to the hospital and got initially checked for Pneumonia since he couldn't breathe. A few days later, he still wasn't feeling any good. He's taken antibiotics, inhaled pascals of steam yet he felt very weak and still couldn't breath when he lied down. Doctors say it could be his heart (which later on we found out was true; "Enlargement of the heart"); not to be a grinch but it does run in the family. My grandma, grandpa, my uncles, my aunts all seem to have the same issues. It dawned on me that I'm the next one to eventually have it. The overeating, high blood pressure from stress and everything I'm eating, blood sugar count that's off the chart thanks to my sweet tooth, and pretty soon I'd probably have heart problems too (which I really hope doesn't happen). I'm in dire need of help and I've got to act now before it's too late.

Saw an ad of Circulan on TV a few days ago and from what I've heard from my friends and relatives who tried it, they say it's the best thing I should do for myself since I'm already stressing about how to live a healthier lifestyle. I'm a skeptic of course and asked them how would a pill could actually make me feel better? I researched a bit and found out about how Circulan Promises Good Health. Mind you, saying that alone is a tall order to promise; but in order for me to quash my skepticism I had to know what's inside a single pill that can make me healthy. They named 4 and they are Hawthorn Berry, Ginkgo Biloba, Garlic Oil, Lemon Balm.

Hawthorn Berry has extracts that are beneficial for the betterment of your circulatory system. There are studies indicating it's effective in treating angina, high blood pressure, and prevent congestive heart failure. It's been used widely in the European region and has always been regarded as a safe and effective treatment for the early stages of heart disease. I might as well try it. I've seen Gingko Biloba trees in South Korea a few years ago and my friends say it's perfect for the skin and “signs of aging” since it's one of the best source of anti-oxidants. It's also good for memory and your overall psyche, something that could definitely be healthy in your heart and mind. Garlic oil has been used for ages. Its anti-bacterial properties is pretty much good for everything. It also makes your blood pressure better and improve its circulation by taking out clogging fat inside the heart. The Greeks on the other hand has been using Lemon balm for thousands of years. It also is effective against high blood pressure and studies have shown that it also makes you smart. All of these benefits in one pill like Circulan. Now who in the right mind would say no to that?!

This just gives me a lot of reason to believe that I can still do it. I can make my lifestyle a whole lot better because aside from a change in diet, healthy exercise and a promising outlook; Circulan can definitely help me achieve a FULL life. I could stay in this world longer, better, stronger and I have to make sure to follow my friends, relatives and doctor's advice to make things simple... if I couldn't help myself in genetics, the fighting chance can be in a form of a 4 in 1 pill. I am so glad that Ciculan Promises me, and YOU… Good Health.

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"Living Life in Full Circle" by:Circulan 

Abbott Introduces Glucerna 123 Challenge

People at my age constantly fear dreaded diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Being born to folks who have them just made me a little depressed because I'm surely going to have it pretty soon. The key is having a change in lifestyle and it starts now. Simple exercise and a balanced diet plus knowing proper steps to manage diabetes is the key. We were schooled about it last Thursday and it was awesome we had Glucerna to take us along a journey called the 123 challenge. It's a 12 week program specially designed for people who have diabetes. For people who have problems with this, listen up because you might learn a thing or two.

Step 1 - Manage your blood sugar response. For people who are resistant to insulin, they have a higher risk of having complications. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels means you have yo eat right and have time for exercise so you can have major impact on your own health. 

Step 2 - Help manage weight and your waistline. Increasing physical activity even in a short amount of time can make your life a little better. Coach Jim even taught us a couple of moves for a max of 4 minutes which he used to train athletes and contestants of The biggest Lose when he had a stint there. Check this out!

Now there's no excuse not to workout with these simple tips and exercise routines. :)

Step 3 - Support heart health! Because heart disease is a common complication of diabetes, it is a must to have your own personalized exercise routine designed and based on your age and activity level. It's a pretty good advise imho. I think I should do something about myself too. I've seen all the warning signs and I pretty much don't want to die at an early age. I want to accomplish my dreams first and spend my years with loved ones. I actually got my blood sugar checked in one of the kiosks during the event, I had like 274 which is way beyond the limit. This might have caused my hypertension. I have to get checked :)

Oh, I almost forgot. They've also launched an app for people with diabetes at http://www.glucerna123challenge.com.ph if you want to participate. It's available for iPhone or Android smart phones so just go there and download it now! There's also a rewards program in every can if Glucerna Triple care that can get you points to use in the site :) Thanks Abbott and Glucerna! This day was awesome because of you! :)


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