Tennis, anyone?

In my ardent desire to start the year right, I played tennis the other day with coach Noel at the Xaymaca Tennis Court. Xaymaca is a bar in Timog but behind it is a covered tennis court where the likes of Zoren and Kier Legaspi, Cesar Montano and MMFF Best Supporting Actress Kris Aquino play tennis. Last year, Kris and I begged Kier to give us tennis lessons. Kier in collaboration with Zoren and coach Noel laid out a 10-session program for the local Williams sisters. Go figure who Venus or Serena is? Our first two sessions went fine, Krissie and I arriving on time – and hitting the ball and the ground and anything solid in sight in consistent ferocity. Kier in particular was extremely kind to two earnest upstarts who talked more than they hit the ball. I spent more time panting on the bench than running after that mindless green ball. It was fun. I don’t remember if we got to our third session. Kris’ schedule became ballistic. Mine is imbecilic. Anyway, I felt so embarrassed to even call Kier for schedules because I have called him so many times only to either postpone or cancel our lessons.

So the other day, I went straight to Xaymaca, ready to fight Hewitt and Sampras head on. I had gained so much weight – that I figured Sampras would actually back off from a match with an overweight wild boar. Kris’ schedule is so tight that it would be near impossible to play tennis with her these days. She has Morning Girls in the morning, Game Ka Na Ba in the evening, shooting in between, The Buzz on Sundays. But it was Kris who pushed me to go back to the tennis court. I’m still not able to play as much as I can but if I can go to the court at least twice a week, I would be a grateful geisha. What I do right now is run from one appointment to the other, similar to geishas tiptoeing from one tea house to the other, making Xaymaca Tennis Court an exciting Tea House. With a punishing schedule, I hope to prevail.

Just the other day, I played my first double match with Bong Quintana as my partner. The Williams sisters would have been proud of us. Even if we lost, we lost in a tie break. I served like a famished "askal." I ran like a wounded zebra. I hit like a pregnant kangaroo, I perspired like an expectant father. But I had fun. I can’t wait until the next match!

Plinky the Bodyworker

A superb host and a stunning model – these are just some of the words that describe my good friend Plinky Recto who now heads her own studio called the Bodyworker which specializes in Pilates.

Plinky, who was a dance scholar at the Julie Borromeo Dance Company for eight years has always been a fitness enthusiast. A few years ago, an aunt based in the US introduced her to Pilates and found herself enrolling in the instructor’s program at the Physical Mind Institute founded by Joan Breibart. She pursued further schooling and apprenticeship in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Fe.

Specializing in osteoporosis, Plinky works with orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists and conducts seminars/demonstrations on The Method of Pilates with corporate executives, housewives, athletes and the physically impaired. She is also accredited by the following associations: Ace American Council on Exercise (ACE), Senior Fitness Association (SFA), American Kinesiotherapy Association (AKA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), International Sports Trainers Association (ISTA) and National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA).

Fluid body movement, grace and poise come naturally to Plinky which is why she is the best model of her craft. To her, Pilates is "the best thing" she ever did to her overall physical well being.

The Bodyworkers is located at the Garden Level of the Corinthian Plaza at Paseo de Roxas in Makati with telephone number 811-3471 and email [email protected]. The Method of Pilates is taught in private and class sessions in either equipment or body work. They also offer Ki Meditation and Callanetics.

Julius Limpe’s exhibit

My show on ANC, Private Conversations, is grateful to the many sponsors who continue to support it. One of them is Destileria Limtuaco whose Chairman of the Board – Julius Limpe, a noted expressionist painter, holding his 10th Solo Painting Exhibit Limpe’s Flowers 2003 at the Gallery 139, 4th level Artwork Building A, SM Megamall Ortigas. It is ongoing until March 11. Our busy schedule should not stop us from smelling the flowers. Go and see Mr. Limpe’s exhibit and enjoy the scent!