What cools you down on a hot summer day?

How does anyone beat the heat these days? With temperatures soaring to 36 degrees, keeping cool can be quite a challenge. But the fun of staying cool in the summer heat comes from finding creative ways to do it.

Read on, and stay cool.

Nikki Gil, singer, actress, VJ

I go to the gym. I sweat sitting still in this insane temperature anyway, so might as well burn a few calories and sweat in the right place.

Carla Abellana, actress

The best ways are to turn the air-conditioning up, head to the beach, eat halo-halo, and drink soda, of course.

Patch Singson, wife of Rep. Ryan Singson

I’m a very low-maintenance person. I just have a cold bath in the morning and at night. I wash my face as often as  possible. I do use Heliocare sunblock capsule to protect my skin (and not feel guilty for exposing my skin to the sun). And in hot summer days, halo-halo is a must for me (I eat it almost every day). I also drink lots and lots of water. 

JM Rodriguez, actor, club owner

To cool down I get myself a nice halo-halo special at Chowking or a gigantic strawberry milk shake at this 24-hour place called Filling Station. Then if I get lucky, I may get a few summer hosting gigs in Boracay.

Monsour del Rosario, athlete, actor, businessman, politician

I wish I could cool off more often during the day, but I’m currently in the thick of campaigning for my second term as councilor of Makati. At the end of the day, I look forward to taking my much-needed dip in the pool, which I enjoy in the company of my two kids, Matti and Bella.

Queenie Gonzales, wife of Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales Jr.

I’m usually okay with the sun and the heat during summer days, but the heat and humidity nowadays are really noticeably more intense. So the first thing I do to cool down instantly is, of course, to drink lots and lots of very, very cold water  But when the heat gets too unbearable, usually during noontime and it so happens that I’m at home, I pull down all the blinds or the window blockers in my bedroom to create a darkened-room atmosphere and turn on the aircon. I really experience relief after that. 

Rep. Irwin C. Tieng, Buhay Party List

I take a short break, find cover, and drink ice-cold soda.