Rachel and Carlos' Maldives honeymoon

One month and two weeks after their wedding in Boracay on April 9, Rachel Alejandro and Spanish journalist Carlos Santamaria continue to “feel like in heaven,” savoring every moment of their togetherness since they have to be apart most of the time because of their work. Rachel is based in the Philippines while Carlos is based in Bangkok as correspondent of a Spanish TV channel.

The newly-weds didn’t have time for a honeymoon because they had to fly back to Manila on April 10, the same day Carlos flew to Bangkok to resume work. Rachel joined him there on April 13 and they finally embarked on their 10-day honeymoon in Maldives, the same place where Jet Li and his family were having their Christmas holiday when a killer tsunami (240,000 died and scores missing) hit Southeast Asia. (“It was my day of awakening,” Jet told The STAR in an exclusive interview a year after the tragedy. “God saved me because I might have another purpose in life,” that’s why he put up his One Foundation.)

In Maldives, the couple spent six days aboard a diving ship and four days in a resort. Rachel flew back to the Philippines and Carlos to Bangkok.

“I’m already missing Carlos,” Rachel told Funfare. “It is hard but it has to be this way for awhile. From Maldives, I flew back with him to Bangkok then flew back to Manila for work. Then he flew in to Manila for Mother’s Day weekend and stayed for four days. I couldn’t leave with him because The SEXY Chef is formally launching its healthy Diet Programs at Filipinas Heritage Library today.”

Highlighted in the affair are the newest addition to SEXY Chef’s weight-loss programs — the Lose Big Diet which is provided to the contestants of the Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition devised by US Certified Fitness Nutritionist and the show’s Weight-Loss Specialist Nadine Tengco, the diet that features original recipes she developed together with Rachel’s sister Barni Alejandro, which is helping the contestants lose fat quickly and safely.

Other weight-loss diets offered by The SEXY Chef include Pounds Away Diet, a high-protein diet suitable for active lifestyles; the South Beach Diet which is low in carbs but rich in lean protein; the Health For Two eating plan for expectant mothers that provides all the nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy; the Body After Baby Diet for all new moms who want to lose weight using energy boosting post-natal foods couple with a gentle exercise plan; the HCG Diet, a weight-loss program that supplements the hormonal treatment; and the Fight Fat Diet, a diet program designed exclusively for Sexy Solutions, a new service of non-surgical treatments by Belo Medical Group.  

Originally set up by Rachel and her sister, chef Barni Alejandro, The SEXY Chef is now operated by OBC 5Star, Inc., a family-owned corporation headed by their mom and managing director Myna De Mauro. (Call The SEXY Chef at 721-SEXY [7399] or [0917] SXYCHEF [799-2433])

Tomorrow, Rachel will join Carlos in Chang Mai and stay in Bangkok until next week when she starts rehearsals for Atlantis Productions’ Aida next week. Rachel’s dad Hajji is also in the cast of the musical.

“It’s the first time we are working together since Larawan more than 10 years ago,” said Rachel.

Aida is slated to open on June 24 at the RCBC theater.

What’s Up?

• I missed Bobby Yan and Francine Prieto on their DZMM program Ka-Date last Friday night. Could it be true that they had a “lovers’ quarrel” two hours before they were supposed to go on board? So the two are really “on?” Confirmed Funfare’s DZMM DPA, “Ano pa!” It was Ambet Nabus who hosted the two-hour program (12 midnight to 2 a.m.). Friendly advice: Bobby and Francine shouldn’t let their romance get in the way of their work.

Cory Vidanes’ special day

Sunday night, May 15, Cory Vidanes (above, fourth from left), head of ABS-CBN Channel 2, marked another milestone with a dinner-party at Torch in Greenhills, San Juan City. Her well-wishers included (above, from left) Jo-Ann Maglipon, Shirley Kuan, Pat-P Daza, Girlie Rodis, ABS-CBN head Charo Santos-Concio and Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde; and also Piolo Pascual (right), Angel Locsin (below, left), and (below, right, from left) Paul Cabral, Lorna Tolentino and Martin del Rosario. — Photos by GIRLIE RODIS

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