Two accomplished couples share how they make the most out of their time together while staying at home.
Valentine’s Day 2021 will be like no other. With social distancing protocols still in place because of the pandemic, this year’s celebration will definitely be very different even when compared with last year’s, as the first cases of COVID-19 began to emerge.
At the same time, love even in the time of COVID has managed to find a way to thrive. Tissot, the Swiss watch brand, asked its brand ambassadors, two real-life couples, about the “new kind of loving” they’re giving and receiving during these unprecedented times.
Model-turned-photographer and fitness buff Hideo Muraoka has always been into self-love. Though he is devoted to his wife, Fatima, and their two young kids, Hideo believes that we shouldn’t forget about our own health, too.
“By being physically and mentally fit, I can be a better father,” he explains. “That’s why I think meditation is important, especially in a time of crisis. So you can be sharp, mentally. Apart from yoga, I also work out regularly and maintain a healthy, balanced diet.”
Self-love is something that Hideo likes to impart to his family. Being a licensed yoga instructor is a plus; he is able to teach Fatima, who finds yoga a good complement to her other physical fitness routines.
For Hideo, now is as good a time as any to start on a health regimen. According to him, a healthy mind and body is a good way to build resistance against diseases. It will also help one cope with the uncertainties of the future.
For Aliza “Chinky” Apostol and her husband, chef Robby Goco, love can be expressed through healthy, satisfying meals. With both assuming different roles in the preparation, the couple make for a good team. “I don’t cook,” Chinky admits, “it’s Robby who does all the cooking.”
“But Chinky does the setting of the table,” Robby adds, “and we talk about the theme. Sometimes I’d say, let’s do Asian, or Mediterranean.”
“Or Chinese, Filipino, depending on the dishes prepared by Robby,” Chinky chimes in.
For couples who now have more time to cook for the family, Robby shared a special menu: Cranberry Grains Salad and his own version of a Greek favorite, Lamb Keftedes. “It’s quite simple,” shares Chinky, “and most of the ingredients are available in groceries or delis.”
All you need to do is mix half a kilo of ground lamb meat (substitute with beef or chicken, if preferred), with a medley of finely chopped ingredients: toasted walnuts (2 tbsp.), sultanas or raisins (2 tbsp), mint (1 tsp) and parsley (1 tsp). To bind the ingredients, add 1 egg and half a cup of bread crumbs, before seasoning with salt. Mix well and shape into 12 50-gram meatballs.
In a heated skillet, pour olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides. In case more cooking is needed, Robby suggests sticking the browned meatballs in the oven (warmed to 175-C) for a few minutes.
The Cranberry Grains Salad is just as easy, and nutritious. In a mixing bowl, pour all the roughly chopped ingredients: 2 tbsp. cilantro, 1 tbsp. parsley, 2 tbsp. capers (drained), ¼ cup sultanas, ¼ cup cranberries. Then add ½ cup diced red onions, 2 tbsp. slivered toasted almonds, 2 tbsp. toasted pine nuts, and 2 tbsp. sunflower seeds.
To all that aromatic mix, add 2 cups of cooked brown rice and 2 cups of lentils. Dress with 3 tbsp. lemon juice and 1/3 cup olive. Mix thoroughly, before seasoning with salt and pepper.
To finish the salad, Robby suggests serving it with a dollop of cumin yogurt sauce: Combine 1/4 cup Greek yogurt with 1/2 tsp. honey and 1/8 tsp. cumin.
Chinky takes it up a notch by creating her signature tablescapes to match Robby’s cooking.
“One good thing that came out of this pandemic, it’s how we got to spend more time together,” Robby shares. “We cook and eat meals together – breakfast, lunch and dinner.” Chinky adds, “We have great conversations. Something we didn’t really have the chance to do before the lockdown, because everyone was just too busy with his or her own thing. So, in a way, this was really a good break for us as a family.”
Tissot’s brand ambassadors keep time with the Tissot Gentleman (on Hideo and Robby), and the Tissot T-My Lady (on Fatima and Chinky). The watches echo their personal mantras – sturdy, flexible classics (suitable from day to night), that can withstand the rough and tumble of the times.
Tissot is available at The Watch Store’s shop in LazMall (https://www.lazada.com.ph/the-watch-store)) and through its website (https://thewatchstore.com.ph/brand/tissot). You can also drop by at The Watch Store branches at SM City North EDSA Annex, SM City Davao Ecoland, SM City Cebu, and Ayala Centrio Mall, or in any Tissot Shops near you—SM City North EDSA North Towers Bridgeway, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Makati, and SM Lanang Premier.
