Ginny Guanco’s figures for her painting exhibit at the Galerie Y in SM Megamall are what can be described as a Bohemian’s rhapsody. The art show, which features all-female subjects, opened on September 15. Of the 32 colorful paintings of women, 26 of these are clad in classic boho chic designs in a bow to the artist’s roots as a full-bloomed flower child in the 70s.

Ginny with the center piece of her art exhibit- the biggest one, done in Acrylic on a 36 x 36 canvas.

Even in her growing up years, Ginny’s inclination to art was already very evident. In school, she participated in art contests. It was no surprise that after graduating high school from the College of the Holy Spirit in Mendiola, Fine Arts was the course she chose at the University of Sto. Tomas. As an artist immersed in her era, she believed in the message of peace, love, joy, and happiness against a backdrop of rock music and hippie art. “I was also really into bohemian fashion then as much as I am now. I did not outgrow my fashion taste, because I feel that it fits my personality and represents who I really am.”


Her 26 muses are clad in similar fashion, in flowy and flowery creations and are labeled, alphabetically, after hippie names that derive inspiration from the elements. Among the collection, exhibit guests would meet Aura, Freedom, Lilac, Seagull, Meadow, and Ocean, all hand-drawn in acrylic, in a style which Ginny describes as a fusion of fashion and art illustration. This effect is a direct result of her training as an artist both in the UST and in the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C., along with fashion illustration lessons from no less than the doyenne of Slim’s Fashion and Arts School, the late Salvacion “Slim” Lim Higgins. “I would describe my drawings as a mix of the two drawing disciplines where one features elongated figures for fashion and the other shows a more sinewy effect as in the fine arts,” she describes.

This artwork, done in 2012, which was originally intended as a form of therapy after the untimely passing of her ginger cat, marks the beginning of Ginny's return to art after a hiatus of 15 years.

Paintings number 27 to 32 is her homage to the strong women in the comicverse, featuring pop culture heroines from Marvel and DC franchises – Black Widow, Elektra, and the two main incarnations of Wonder Woman. “I have always been attracted to strong female characters, as I was also very much into women’s rights in the 70s. I have always believed that women should be empowered, that regardless whether you are a career woman, a CEO, a homemaker, you should know how you are as a person, knowing your worth, a human being to be respected and not looked down upon. And one who is secure in who she is.”

Title – OCEAN Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 24 x 30

The solo exhibit took a long time in coming, as Ginny took a 15-year hiatus from painting, pursuing a career, first in the media, and later on as a public relations professional. It took the passing of her favorite ginger cat, Simba and a few art materials lying around to get her back to art. A post of her finished figure on social media garnered a lot of interest from friends to convince her to take up the brush again. A chance meeting with Galerie Y owner Rollie Yusi, who viewed her works with interest, set the exhibit in motion. Ginny’s boho-inspired pieces join the gallery’s carefully-curated works by established and emerging Filipino artists as it works toward the enrichment of contemporary Philippine art.

Title- BLAZE Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 24 x 30

Ginny Guanco’s Boho Chic exhibit will be on view at Galerie Y from September 15 to 24. Opening cocktails were provided by; Chef Jojo Javier’s SWEETIELICIOUS, Chef Greggie Mercado of AGING’S FOOD DELIGHT, WINE DEPOT, NESTEA AND KITKAT Strategic Works, Inc. and Ginny Guanco.

The gallery is located at the 4th floor of the SM Megamall, Bldg A. For more information, contact Galerie Y, open from Mondays to Sundays, 10 AM – 10 PM, or call 634- 2704. Visit also the artist’s website, artbyginny.net or FB page: Art by Ginny.

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Nagka-kuto ka na ba? As a child, I have had a number of encounters with head lice. I have also experienced being treated with supposed hacks to counter head lice. Ewan ko ba, may pediculicide shampoo naman siguro noon, pero bakit kung ano-ano ang nilalagay ng mga matatanda sa buhok ko! Haha!


Hmmm, let me count the ways...

... I remember my lola heat a spoonful of coconut oil with a candle then apply the warm oil on my scalp after. Buti hindi nalapnos ang ulo ko, LOL!
... A cousin of mine who was taking care of us when we were little would have me sit down on the floor while she watches TV and combs a Chinese comb suyod. Aray naman, the tangles! Take note, hindi pa uso ang conditioner noon. And if I don't sit down for a kutuhan session, she would threaten me that all the lice on my head will fly and carry me to Timbukthu!
..... My dad would use detergent to shampoo my hair then rinse it only after an hour.

Que horror, I know! These may sound shocking and silly but hey, more than three decades after, I'm still hearing these being done on children with head lice! This is why Lamoiyan Corporation's Licealiz head lice treatment shampoo, in partnership with the Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP) and supported by the UP Manila College of Public Health, formed the Kilusang Kontra Kuto to spread awareness about lice infestation issues and prevent and treat head lice.


I was fortunate enough to be part of the mommy blogger group that Lamoiyan Corporation brought along to their recent Kilusang Kontra Kuto activity at Bagong Nayon 1 Elementary School in Antipolo last September 8, 2016. There, I personally witnessed how the Licealiz team helped treat an entire school of their lice infesation problem. When we arrived at the school around mid-morning, they were already shampooing a class of gradeschoolers at their makeshift shampoo area.


While the shampooing continued, our group sat together with other school parents and guardians and listened to a quick orientation about head lice which included the myths and silly head lice treatments that Pinoys have grown accustomed with.


Here are some of the facts that I took note of:

• One (1) female kuto (head lice) can lay up to 100 eggs in their life time. These eggs will hatch in a week and it will just take another week for the same female kuto to lay another batch of eggs.
• 92% of head lice infestations are experienced by female, not because they have longer hair but because girls often tend to share combs and hair accessories. 
• 36% of kuto infestations are experienced by school-aged children because they are more exposed to other children who have head lice themselves.
• Head lice infestation is a cause of concern because scratching the head can result to infected wounds. My son's pedia once told me that any wound on the head should be treated immediately because it's closer to the brain.
• Head lice do not jump or fly! Hindi totoong kaya niya ilipad ang bata sa Timbukthu!
• You do not get head lice from staying under the sun.
• Short hair does not guarantee less head lice because head lice thrive on blood. As long as they can bite the scalp and suck blood, they will survive.
• Head lice do not recognize race/color, social status, gender, or age. Kahit sino, pwede magka-kuto!
• Using suyod (fine comb), removing head lice manually, or shampooing everyday would help if there are only few head lice. Shampooing with a pediculide like Licealiz is still the best option because of the rate head lice lay and hatch eggs. 
• When one member of the family is infected with head lice, the whole family should also be treated with pediculicide.
• Head lice infestation is also a social problem. Infected children get labeled and become subjects of teasing and bullying.

Pediculicide is the fastest and most convenient way of treating head lice infestation. Pyrethrin, the active ingredient of Licealiz, is chrysanthemum extract and in non-toxic and safe. Licealiz can even be safe for use on babies.



We left the school before noon and had lunch while being oriented with more information about our country's head lice infestation problem and the Kilusang Kontra Kuto program. This is where celebrity mom and reporter, Love Añover not only shared her silly childhood kuto stories but also related her experience when her very own daughter got infected.


Meanwhile, Dr. Arlene Bertuso, an entomologist and professor of UP Manila College of Public Health stated that a study by the DepEd in 2009 estimated that 8 million public school students aged 7 to 12 years old were infested with head lice. I felt relieved somehow that Lamoiyan Corporation launched this program to help reduce this problem. Finally, Ms. Balbina Borromeo, President of MCNAP advised that households should be kuto free through practicing simple activities like avoiding sharing combs, towels, and other materials that touch the hair. She also recommended changing beddings regularly.


September is Head Lice Prevention Month and Licealiz will continue arranging shampooing programs and activities for public school students all over the country and willill also be posting educational materials on head lice and how to fight them on its Facebook page, Licealiz also invites everyone to join the Kilusang Kontra Kuto in changing the public's perception about kuto infestation and spreading correct information regarding head lice prevention and treatment.


Licealiz is available in two variants. You may visit the Licealiz Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Licealiz, for more information on lice prevention.



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Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Jolly Cow’s newest chocolate milk that’s made from 100% Pure Cow’s Milk and real cocoa with less sugar is the perfect combination of creamylicious and chocolicious goodness of milk and cocoa in one. What’s more, its chocoholic taste is only the beginning, all Jolly Cow milk only comes from “happy cows” that were raised and bred in cow friendly farms in Europe, so you can look forward to enjoying tastier, healthier, and creamylicious milk quality in every pack.


Conveniently available nationwide in one liter and 200 ml sizes, Jolly Cow Chocolate Milk is best enjoyed chilled or as a delicious ingredient to liven up milkshakes and smoothies. Since it doesn’t use vegetable fats to give it full taste, it is no surprise that both kids and young at hearts find it an irresistible source of their daily calcium and a source of energy. Perfect for dunking with your favorite bread, it is also the ultimate accompaniment for your favorite savory snacks, and is a healthier alternative for the sweet-toothed. Jolly Cow Chocolate Milk tastes so good!


“The introduction of this new variant of Jolly Cow continues to support the expansion of the product line in the country, and reinforces our commitment to bring the best food and beverages of the world to the Filipinos. Jolly Cow Chocolate Milk is different from other chocolate drinks, as it only uses 100% Pure Cow’s Milk, Cocoa, a little bit of sugar, and no vegetable fat added. It is totally chocolicious! All our consumers will surely love it!” said Fly Ace Corporation General Manager, Ramon Daez.

*****

Jolly Cow Chocolate Milk 1 liter and 200 ml size is available in leading supermarkets, and groceries nationwide.

Fly Ace Corporation is one of the leading food and beverage consumer goods company in the country today. Propelling limitless multiple-category growth by bringing the best of the world closer to Filipino homes, Fly Ace Corporation’s portfolio of food and beverage products includes house brands and exclusively distributed brands. Learn more at www.flyacecorp.com or www.facebook.com/JollyCow


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