How to write an invite

I am a native of Sorsogon and as luck would have it, I met my rich American husband in a resort in Cebu. We have been married five years now but I have not developed the sophistication that the wife of an entrepreneur should have. Now, my husband wants to host a big party to invite some investors and he wants me to have a formal invitation printed. Can you give me an example of how our invitation should look? – Provinciana Wife

Your invitation should read:

Mr. And Mrs. John Smith request the honor of your presence to a reception (cocktail, dinner, as the case may be) at their residence, No. 50 Palm Avenue, Forbes Park, Makati City on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 7 pm.

Attire: Formal

R. S. V. P. 890-2345 Lina

* * * Telling Off A Churchgoer

Do I have the right to tell off a parishioner not to use her cell phone inside the church? Last Sunday, there was a woman who entered the church during gospel, talking on her cell phone and she had the gall to sit at my pew. I don’t understand why she did not stay outside until she finished her conversation. She did not even have the good sense to talk in a low voice. Rather, she was competing with the priest who was giving the homily. I couldn’t control myself, I looked at her sharply and gave a loud Shhhhhh! She continued for a full minute before she shut up. After the Mass she waited for me outside and had the impudence to shake her finger at me and told me that I embarrassed her. She asked me my name and contact address because "You will hear from my lawyer!" I did not give her either, that’s when she called me a coward. Thank God, the church was almost empty and not too many people saw the ugly scene. I had to literally run to my car because she wouldn’t stop. Now, I will have to look for another church as this woman will not give me peace. – Harassed Parishioner

First of all, churches should put a big sign outside that reads, "NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED" to make it clear to the faithful that cell phones with all their different loud tones could be very distracting to those who are praying. You did right in hushing her. The church is a place of worship and should be respected as such. Unfortunately, you ran into a person who has no sense of propriety and will not accept that she was wrong. Anybody who enters a church talking on the cell phone in a loud voice should be reprimanded. You can report her to the parish priest, tell him what happened and I am sure he will take your side. You don’t have to fear her or her threat of a lawsuit because obviously inside a church, church rules of prayer and worship are in effect. No lawyer will take her seriously.

* * * Heart Attack Waiting To Happen

My husband just had his second angioplasty and I am afraid that if he doesn’t improve his diet and lifestyle he might have a heart attack. He smoked a pack of cigarettes before the operation. Now, he smokes half a pack. He is still taking coffee and alcohol but not as much as before. He believes that he can cure himself through drugs and procedures for unblocking his arteries and lowering his cholesterol. He doesn’t really believe in changing his lifestyle. – Fearful Housewife

The best post-operative treatments are exercise and having a good diet. They can improve a person’s health at almost any stage of illness. You should give your husband a diet low in saturated fat and high in fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains. Then you have to push him to do exercises such as brisk walking. He has to stop smoking and stick to a glass or two of red wine, and begin to take supplements such as vitamin B complex, vitamin E, A and beta carotene as well as omega 3 fatty acids. Some doctors also recommend chelation therapy, which is a technique to clear toxic materials from the bloodstream, which they say improves cardiovascular health. When a person has had two procedures on his heart, he should change his lifestyle and diet if he wants to live longer and improve his quality of life.

* * * What To Do With A Boy-Crazy Daughter

How do I handle a teenage daughter who is boy crazy? She has a crush on every good-looking guy she meets and she is only 17 years old. She is burning the wires daily with different boys, and texting them. The miracle though is that she has good grades in spite of her being boy crazy because she concentrates on her studies when she has to. I am afraid she might have sex too soon, even though she doesn’t go for very sexy clothes like her friends. – Anxious Mom

This is just a phase your daughter is going through. You should be thankful that she is vocal about her feelings towards her crushes and she confides in you. Consult with a guidance counselor at her school for some counseling sessions with your daughter. I wouldn’t worry about her. She seems like a normal teenager undergoing a phase of puppy loves.

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For your questions, write to: Mayenne Carmona, Star Gate Media Inc., 6th floor, Jaka Bldg., Ayala Ave., Makati City.