Why Should You Get Into Tennis

I have been receiving a lot of compliments lately about my improved physique (thanks, guys!). And while I am still a long way towards my fitness goal (because fitness is a journey, it doesn't happen overnight), I did lose considerable weight over the past few months. :)

Now, many of you, my dear readers have been sending me questions on how I achieved this significant change in my physique. Well, guess what? It's none other than TENNIS. :D

Yup, I have long been a tennis enthusiast but never have I actually considered tennis as a fitness regimen. 

I mean, I love watching tennis matches, but me playing tennis? Who would have thought! :D
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Lately,  however, after the International Premiere Tennis League Manila leg, I have found myself to be more inclined in the sport, and little did I know that I have already been playing it a lot that it has become my regular exercise! Whoah! :D

Ready for an ace, :D (Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Now, my daily routine always consists of an hour or two at the Manila Polo Club where I play a set with other club members.

If you are thinking of trying out this sport and using it as your means of regular exercise, then go for it! Tennis is a good sport for maintaining health, fitness, strength, and agility. PLUS, it has social and psychological benefits as well. But if you are still not convinced that you should get yourself into tennis, let me break down to you the TOP REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD PLAY TENNIS. :)

1. Tennis helps you live longer.
Scientists and doctors around the world point to tennis as one of the most healthful activities in which you can participate, delivering overall physical, mental, and emotional gains. Simply put, it will add years to your life and life to your years.  (lifetimefitness,com)

2. Tennis makes for a happier life.
Tennis engages your mind and body at the same time, unlike a typical workout at a gym. Because tennis players are more confident, healthier, less stressed, and more socially interactive, we are just plain happier. :)

3. Tennis is social. 
On and off the court, you are guaranteed to make friends through tennis (shoutout to my friends from Manila Polo Club! :) ). This is because tennis encourages interaction, communication, and just plain FUN. :D

4. Tennis teacher life lessons. 
By playing tennis, participants, especially teenagers like me, develop work ethics. learn sportsmanship, accept responsibility, manages mistakes, enhance discipline, learn to cope with pressure and adversity, and develop over-all healthy habits.

5. Tennis can be anything you want it to be. 
If you are looking for competition, social play, team camaraderie, a good workout, time with family or friends, YOU CAN HAVE ALL OF THAT IN TENNIS because it can be anything you want it to be and more! :)

Tennis, for many of us, is a huge part of our lives. The sport broadens our network of friends. It helps us burn calories and stay in shape. Families can enjoy playing together. And, of course, it's just plain fun. And if that doesn't get you sold, I don't know what will. Now, excuse me will I come out swinging and give Serena Williams a run for her money. :D

(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Reference: Benefits of Tennis https://www.lifetimefitness.com/en/content/details/articles/benefits_of_tennis.html

The Philippine General Hospital Psychiatric Hematlogy-Oncology Ward

If there is one person that I look up to, it's none other than my mom, Alice Eduardo :). An icon of class and business savvy, she has been a favorite of both high-end society pages and cheapskate tabloids where many has been said about her--- some good, some bad. Yes, she heads one of the biggest construction companies in the Philippines, and she does so with a strong determination to succeed in any endeavor and transcend over life's challenges. But if there is one thing that no feature or press release can ever do justice, it is to describe how gracious and selfless she is as a person.

My mom, my hero. :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

One testament of my mom's golden heart is her unfailing support for different advocacies and humanitarian projects that aim to give back to the society. One of this is the founding and construction of the Philippine General Hospital Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Isolation Ward for the diagnosis and treatment of young cancer patients.

My mom with the people behind the Miss World Organization.
The project is supported by Miss World Philippines as part of its “Beauty With A Purpose’’ program.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

The Inauguration of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Ward, January 2015
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Inaugurated in January 2015, the ward provides medical care to some 300-terminally ill children who are sick with illnesses which include severe pneumonia, chronic diarrhea, meningitis, liver cirrhosis, end-stage kidney disease, and complex cardiac conditions, among others.

For many years, young patients with these diseases are mixed with other patients. With this ward, more lives can be saved by preventing infection from spreading and for providing intensive care and treatment to patients who need it most.

Pediatric patients of PGH performing a danee number as a way of showing their appreciation to the
newly constructed PGH Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Ward. (Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

From the words of my mom, "Charity cannot wait. I saw with my own eyes the challenge to provide healthcare for poor children. Sta. Elena is giving back to the community what it has achieved in sustained growth from partnership with the business sector in various infrastructure, property development, and energy projects over the years." 

(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

I can only be proud of my mom for what she has accomplished and done for the benefit of our countrymen and hope that someday, I can follow in her footsteps and equally become relevant to the continual aid of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters. :)

Here's a video featurette of the ground-breaking event that took place a year prior to the inauguration of the PGH Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Isolation Ward in Cory Quirino's show, Thumbs Up To The Good News. :)

Empowered Women, Empowered Nation

March 8 is the celebration of International Women's Day and EVERYONE--- men and women, young and old--- can take a concrete step to help achieve gender equality more quickly. Whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, or root out workplace bias, each of us can COMMIT TO TAKE ACTION TO STEP UP GENDER EQUALITY. :)

#PledgeForParity: Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of
influence and commit to taking action to accelerate gender parity.
(Image source: internationalwomensday.com) 

And since International Women's Day is celebrate all over the world, I thought of posting an article I wrote a few weeks back that talks about about WOMEN EMPOWERMENT which is a timely and relevant issue in our country, the Philippines, these days:

Political Empowerment Will Make Our Nation Stronger

         In a political context, empowerment is understood as the process of developing a sense of autonomy and self-confidence, and acting individually and collectively to change social relationships and the institutions and discourses that exclude certain groups of people, and help them to leader a prosperous and a successful life (Madugalle, 2014). The empowerment and autonomy of marginalized groups such as women, children, etc. and the improvement of their political, social, economic, and health status is a highly important end in itself essential for the achievement of a nation’s sustainable development.

Women empowerment in the Philippines throughout the centuries. (Image source: businessmirror.com.ph)

            To begin with, democracy is not possible without political empowerment which requires that citizens shape political life by voting, standing for office, and initiating and participating as equals in informal public discourse (Wilhelm, 2014). For instance, the electoral process in the Philippines determines important propositions such as the redirection funds to schools, reforms sentencing of low level crimes, and the election of many important offices. But while elections allow voter participation and strengthen political empowerment, this participation is distorted by lack of education among the voter and the voted. In the Philippines, the voter chooses the candidate who will serve the voter’s ends.  But, unfortunately, the ends sought by the uneducated voter are usually: money in exchange for his vote; and an appointment in the civil service, so that he can have a job.  The uneducated majority are merely seeking their selfish individual interest, particularly in economic terms (Defensor-Santiago, 2012). Therefore, political empowerment entails that all people can participate in local decision making processes and hold others to account given that they understand their the implications of their aspirations, responsibilities, and actions in relation to other social and economic actors and to the state.

            Second, when governments, businesses work to eliminate inequalities and promote political empowerment, developing countries are less likely to be plagued by poverty. For example, a research conducted by the European Journal of Business and Management suggested that by providing equal employment opportunities between men and women, female economic power also enhances the "wealth and well-being of nations" (2014). Women who control their own income tend to have fewer children, and fertility rates have shown to be inversely related to national income growth (Karim, 2014). However, while boosting female employment rate could mean large economic gains, it could also cause a backlash on the country’s birthrate, such as the baby strike in Korea and in Japan where the age at which women are having their first child are rising, resulting in fewer women having a second child (Abe, 2015). This only suggests that efforts on political empowerment, especially among women, must also include a wide range of policies such as continuation of child-care support, reduction of long work hours, and a jobs creation program.

Empowered women, empowered nation. (Image source: govolunteering,com)

            Last but not the least, political empowerment is an essential tool for achieving the goal of equality, development and peace in a nation. For example, equal access to education by taking measures to eliminate discrimination in education at all levels on the basis of gender, race, language, religion, national origin, age or disability, ultimately contributes to more equal relationships between women and men (UnWomen, 1995). Equality of access to and attainment of educational qualifications is necessary if more individuals are to become agents of change. Literacy among all people is an important key to improving health, nutrition and education in the family and to empowering every individual to participate in decision-making in society. However, access to education and promotion of literacy may lead to brain drain where a country loses its most educated and talented workers to other countries through migration due to negative characteristics of the home country that forms the impetus for intelligent people migrating from Lesser Developed Countries (LDC). In terms of labor force, the Philippines, for example, is faced with a brain drain issue, which is depriving the labor pool of much of its greatest talent. This has been a problem for a while now, with the country having lost an estimated ten percent of its population to work abroad, including many highly qualified professionals (Davis, 2015). For this reason, governments must ensure that more than being politically empowered, citizens feel safe and that economic activity is continually stimulated to provide better wages among workers and create better educational systems for a more affordable means so that citizens do not have to go overseas for higher education.

            A nation is not its land and buildings—it is its people. If a nation has to rise, the first thing that it must accomplish is to empower its people with the help of laws, education, and employment that will help them use their full potential.

Filipinas, WE CAN DO IT! (Image source: allposters.com)