Thought Peek

Ateneo Aquathlon 2012

2012-02-01T11:56:00.000+08:00

As I previously expressed in this blogpost, I planned to experience being part of an aquathlon this March and my target event would be the Ateneo Aquathlon 2012. Well, here it is. The FAST Ateneo Swim Team had released it's initial announcement on one of the few aquathlons in the country.

Here are the steps for registration:

Step 1:

Option 1: Our website is still being finished, in the meantime you may register here for online: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFNyelBHX05MQTlSR1F1VmJmelZaUHc6MQ
Option 2: You may also get registration forms from this link and register at the Ateneo College Athletics Office: http://www.mediafire.com/?0e57210b27sb3d8

Step 2: Payment will be through..

Option 1: Visit the Ateneo College Athletics Office

Option 2: Via “Payment Slip” through Metro Bank
Company Name: Ateneo De Manila University
Subscriber Name: Full Name of Participant
Reference No: 013.

Step 3: Confirm/Finalize Registration (For Metrobank payment slips only)

Scan/Picture and email your payment slips and email it to ateneoaquathlon@gmail.com.

For more information:

Facebook: Ateneo Aquathlon 2012

Twitter: Ateneo Aquathlon 2012

The Hills are alive in the land of Baguio

2012-02-01T06:55:00.002+08:00

By some weird reason, I came to love running uphill. I like it when I move my body up a hill and Baguio has a lot of uphill roads.

Around the same time last year, my friends and I went to Baguio but this year one of the things I noticed in Baguio is its roads has a lot of hills. The hills vary with different levels.

When I got up to battle the cold Baguio weather to conquer the hills of Baguio last Sunday (1/31/2012), I ran around Burnham Park up to the uphill roads beside the house we rented.

Uphill Road in Burnham Park

It's just funny that since I became a runner, I see things differently. Instead of feeling tired of walking at the different levels of the Baguio roads, I felt excited to experience uphill running in these roads.

I did a short 3k around Burnham Park but after my 35 miunte run and walk workout. I was dripping sweat and my feet were stressed.

I thought I wanted to do 21k race in these race sometime but I'll settle for 5k. Too much hills can be painful, too.

Timex Run 2012: Running with Piolo

2012-01-31T22:33:00.002+08:00

I decided to run Timex run 2012 last year. In 2010, it seemed like THE fun run event to join and when it was organized once again by Run Rio, I didn't want to miss this run. Plus, running celebrity Piolo Pascual is headlining this race.

I ran 10k with Piolo

Experience the lead a pace in 10k

I wanted to do a sub-60 PR in this race but since I joined a 21k race a week ago, I wasn't able to train so I was just going to go on a fun run for this. I urged my fellow PRC (Pex Running Club) members to join me in the 10k category. Hamza and Enrich decided to join me. Over twitter, we agreed to pace with a goal of 1 hour finish time.

Namamasyal kami ni Hamza c/o Angelo Photography

That was Hamza's first 10k race. If you would remember, Miguel paced with me on my first 10k race so I decided to do the same and stick with Hamza until he finished his first 10k. Our strategy was to do slow running for the first 5k and 5k pace for the last 5k.

Post Race with Bloggers: Eman, Banjo and Rainier

We did just that. On the first 5k, we were doing a mixture of fast running to avoid the crowded lines and slow running to catch our breathe. When we got to the 5k mark, we decided to walk it off. The 5k mark was in the road behind MC Home Depot. And Enrichard who was late for the gun start caught up with us. For the 5th to 9th KM, we walked and slow ran and sprinted.

PRC Boys in Timex Run 2012

For the last KM, we ran slow and when we reached the finish line we sprinted to have a 1:10 finish which was a new PR for me.

New PR: The Result

Here is my official result:

Check out your results in:
http://runrio.com/2012/01/2012-timex-run-race-results/

Post Race: Chowking

Chowking Brekfast after Timex Run 2012

after the race, we walked to Chowking to have breakfast. Chowking is a Chinese fast food restaurant. We chose this restaurant 'coz it would be Chinese New Year in the next day.

Runew 2012 Updates: Finisher's Shirt, Medal and Bus Ride from BHS to Alabang

2012-01-31T18:05:00.001+08:00

Friends, check out the updates on this race.

1) 21k Finishers will receive medal and Finisher's shirt.

2) 10k Finishers will receive finisher's shirt.

Runew Finisher's Shirt

3) Registered runners can avail of a free bus ride.

Runners can register at Riovana BHS or by sending PM at Runrio Facebook account starting Thursday, February 2.
Present complete name and bib/ bib number to qualify.

Limited slots only

Pick up point on race day will be at Riovana BHS

Assembly time is 3:00. The bus will leave at exactly 3:30am.

Bus leaves Alabang by 8:30 am.

Race For The Orphans

2012-01-30T15:34:00.002+08:00

Race For The Orphans
February 12, 2012
5K/10k
Camp Aguinaldo Grounds, EDSA corner Santolan Avenue, Quezon City
Registration Fees:
Regular registration fees (from January 7 until February 9, 2012):
10K – PHP 600
5K – PHP 400
- Includes Bib with Timing Tag and Singlet (For both 5k and 10k runners)
All registered runners have a chance to win a free trip for 2 to Boracay.
REGISTRATION VENUES
JANUARY 7 to February 11, 2012 (12:00 nn – 8:00 pm)
- Secondwind Running Store: Quezon City and Ortigas Branches
- A Runners Circle (ARC): Roxas Blvd. corner Quirino Avenue
- ROX: Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig
Avail of the early registration promo of 6 Race Kits plus 1 FREE (samecategory only) good until January 22, 2012.

A RACE FOR THE ORPHANS

A race for the orphans, a race for your hearts! A veryspecial race for the month of the heart—The Race For The Orphans will stir the Camp Aguinaldo Grounds in thestill misty morning of February 12, 2011 each not only to experience runningthe peaceful grounds of the military camp but to take part in answering theorphans cry for love and compassion.

It is with this aim that Rundezvous Events Inc., will stagethis event that will provide scholarship grantsthrough “I-Hope”, a trust fund that will support the educational needs of theseorphans of soldiers killed in action in Mindanao and for future grantees of theAFP Educational Benefit System (AFPEBS).

Each runner pays a modest registration fee of P600.00 for the10k run and P400.00 for the 5k run. Inclusive with this fee is a nice runningsinglet available in various sizes, a Timing tag, race bib number and a goodiebag from our sponsors.

Our registration Centers will be at the Secondwind RunningStores in Ortigas and Quezon City; ROX at Bonifacio High Street and at ARunning Circle (ARC) along Quirino Avenue corner Roxas Blvd., Manila.

“We shall leave no soldiers’ orphan behind”. This is the AFPEducational Benefit System Office’s (AFPEBSO) tagline, an organization whichdeeply recognizes the heroism in each Filipino soldier. It is one of the moraleand welfare outfits of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that granteducational benefits both to the military personnel and their dependents withthe aim of helping them secure a brighter future. As it recognizes oursoldiers' heroism, especially of those who lay down their lives in protectingpeace, AFPEBSO gives priority to the orphans of Filipino soldiers who werekilled in action.

We’ll see you at Camp Aguinaldo on February 12, 2012!

For inquiries, please call or text:
Abet: 09158030224 or Zarina: 09165217400
Or call Phone: 6(32) 3829659 c/o of Salie Guarin.

Runew 2012: Run for Health, Run to Help

2012-01-23T23:20:00.000+08:00

Asian Hospital and Medical Center is organizing a fun run on February 26 tagged as Runew 2012. With a goal to gather 3,000 runners that would like to help less fortunate people that the hospital charity helps.

Race Details

I am not familiar with Ayala Alabang and conquering this new territory is going to be exciting and According to the organizers, the route will be challenging.

Singlet Design

Registration Venues:

ONLINE Registration: January 16, 2012 to Feb. 19, 2012
In-Store/On-Site Registration: January 16, 2012 to Feb. 19, 2012
Asian Hospital & Medical Center, MOB Lobby
Alabang 2205 Civic Drive, Muntinlupa City
RIOVANA

• BGC - 9th Ave corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City

• KATIPUNAN – 3rd Floor Regis Center, Katipunan, QC (infront of Ateneo de Manila University)

TOBY’S SM Mall of Asia - Mon-Sun, 12nn to 8pm
THE ATHLETE’S FOOT Robinson’s Galleria - Mon-Sun, 12nn to 8pm

More Details can be found in the Run Rio Website.

Route Details

3k

10k

21k

Join now! Run in Ayala Alabang!

Go Natural Run 2012 Results

2012-01-23T21:56:00.002+08:00

I finished my first 21k in 2:48:10.

Check out your results in:
http://runrio.com/2012/01/go-natural-run-2012-official-race-results/

Come FLY with me @ GYM FTX

2012-01-19T10:46:00.000+08:00

Here I go again.

Flying at GYM FTX !!!

Flying at Gym FTX from Cash Cash Pinoy

For only P1000, you get 2 sessions of Fly Yoga with 2 sessions of CirqFit.

P950/session - Fly Yoga

P650/session - CirqFit

You get 2 of all that for P1000.

Find out more about this deal at Cash Cash Pinoy.

I was a Water Boy in Todo Responde Run

2012-01-18T17:08:00.001+08:00

Todo Responde Run is a charity fun run organized by the collective efforts of the running organizers of the running community for the victims of Typhoon Sendong and Baby Rafael. CJ secured us spots as marshals of the race.

On race day, the race manager tasked as helpers for the Pocari Sweat station but when we found a station, people were already manning it so we transferred to a Water station, instead. We got to work with runners of team OK-OK who were extra energetic in sharing their experience of how to be water people from their experience in serving in Fund Racing Run.

Water boy duties

It was a different experience to serve runners instead of being one.

Saying "Good Morning, Runners" and cheering "Go, Runners!" was a high.

Pex Running Club at Todo Responde Run

At the end of the race, the energetic Team OK-OK led us to a sprint in to the finish line. It was a nice surprise since we weren't expecting to run that day.

PEx Running Club Marshalls with the Runners

Our team will, definitely, be doing this again.

Photo Credits: CuteehCath and Joey

2012 Races: Timex Run, Condura Skyway Marathon

2012-01-18T16:58:00.000+08:00

After grueling my first 21k event in Go Natural 2012, I had set my sights on my next runs.

Timex Run 2012

In 2009, Run Rio organized a Timex Run with Piolo Pascual to start off the company's career in organizing runs. Here they go again with 2012 Timex Run. I originally intended this run to be my first run of the year and I wanted to gun for a sub-60 PR. But since I just did 21k in Go Natural Run 2012, I will run aimlessly and pacing my fellow-PRC member, Hamza on his first 10k. If you're running the event too, say hello.

For Race Information: check Run Rio

Condura Skyway Marathon 2012

One of the most awaited races of every year is the Condura Skyway Marathon. This year the environmental cause is for Mangroves. I didn't want to join this race since the starting line was in Alabang, which is a strange foreign land for me. But since PRC members are also joining this one, especially wall climbing buddy Lee who is an Alabang boy, will be joining. i decided to register as well.

For Race Information: check Condura Marathon

What's Next?

After the Condura Marathon, I will be training with my PEx Swim Team since we'll be joining our first ever aquathlon. No official announcement yet but their twitter feed says that it will be held on March 4, 2012.

The Overall Go Natural 2012 Run Experience: The First Important Run of 2012

2012-01-18T16:57:00.000+08:00

Go Natural Run 2012 is the first important run of 2012. This run was organized for early child diabetes education co-sponsored by Go Natural, Run Rio and Resorts World Manila.

Blogger's Launch

I was on leave on the day Mam Vimz of Run Rio sent me an invite to my first running blogger's launching event. I was happy to accept the invite. After a busy day of getting ID's, I met running buddy, CJ, and we commuted to Resorts World Manila.

Organizers of Go Natural Run 2012

It was both our first time and since we arrived early, we explored the place and checked out people who gambled their money away.

As the clock turned 6pm, we went up to President's restaurant and waited for the rest of the bloggers since we were the first ones there.

Organizers talking about Go Natural 2012

While waiting for the launching event to start, I met the other bloggers and the colorful personalities of the running community. As the launching event started, Coach Rio, Go Natural execs and Resorts World people took the stand and talked about the event. They presented us with the finisher's shirt and advocacy shirt, as well as the featured products of Go Natural.

Class Picture at Go Natural 2012 Launch

As a treat, the organizers gave us free race kits, supplement samples and free tickets for Sound of Music.

Resorts World Manila presents Sound of Music

CJ decided to give me his ticket so I got to bring a buddy to watch Sound of Music one Friday night after office. Instead of riding a taxi, we took the RWM shuttle in Paseo Center. If you're riding this vehicle, you need to bring your membership card or sign up for one.

The travel was fast so we explored the place then headed to the Newport Theater. At that night, Cris Villonco played Maria. As expected, there was nostalgia with Sound of Music. But there were a few misses like that kolehiyala-sounding nun and some microphone problems.

Posing as one of the Von Trapp Family Singers

The theater was a great venue. I could see Philippines being able to stage famous broadway plays in this theater.

After the play, we had dinner at Crisostomo and we went home around 2am.

A big thanks to Resorts World Manila for this treat from the blogger's launch.

The Big Event: My First 21k Run

After all the blog posts, events and training leading up to this event, it finally came. From my quick stint as a hydration boy in Todo Responde Run, I woke up again extra early to run my first 21k event. I arrived just in time but running buddy and pacer CJ came later so we ran late.

Finishing with Kamote Runner from Angelo

We began the race chasing the tail of the 21k runners. We weren't that late so we were able to chase it immediately. The route started going around The Fort, Taguig and for 45 miuntes, CJ and I ran at a steady pace. In the Kalayaan exit near MC Depot, we bagan running and walking until we got to the Kalayaan Bridge where we ran until CJ got an injury where we run but mostly walked until the end of Kalayaan and until Mayapis Street. Runners who came later than us slowly passed before us. Near Makati Avenue, Kamote Runner caught up with us and was pushing us to run faster. When we got back to Kalayaan bridge, CJ decided to let me go ahead so I ran as fast as I can until 30th Avenue where I decided to walked. Kamote Runner caught up with me again and was pushing me. From there, I ran until the finish line and I crossed the finish line at 2:48:10 with Kamote Runner.

Team Titans @ Go Natural 2012 from Jervin

At the Finish Line, Swimming buddy Ae congratulated me and I saw the rest of the Pex Running Club as I claimed my Finisher's Kit with an over sized 21k Finisher's shirt.

Since I was the only one who brought a camera, I went to get my bag when I saw Team Titans who finished way way before me and I was able to join out team photo op.

CJ finished at 3 hours and he met us just in time for our club's photo op.

PEx Running Club @ Go Natural 2012

Go Natural Run was a great race according to people who finished early. When we finished 21k everything was almost finished so I wasn't able to experience the post race activities.

After having (breakfast at) SEx (Siningag Express) from Cath

Post race - We went to Siningag Express to meet the Stags Run runners and bond with the rest of the Pex Running Club.

2011 Races

2012-01-18T16:56:00.000+08:00

2011 was the year I got bit by the running addiction bug.

2011 Race Bibs

I originally just intended to run one 5k race. That was the goal. It took a lot of finding friends who will run with me until I finally convinced Gelo and KC to accompany me to a race in Ortigas. From there, I loved running and I wanted to run once a month until December came and every week I had a run scheduled.

Here are the events I ran in:

May 7: Run to Build (5K)

July 10: Slimmerun 2011 (5K)

July 24: Takbo.ph RunFest(5K)

September 18: AXN Runs Philippines (5K)

October 23: Adidas King of the Road (5K)

November 13: Men's Health Urbanathlon (5K)

November 26: HSBC Fun Run 2011 (5K)

November 30: Michelle Estuar's Fund Racing (10K)

December 4: 9th Animo Run (10K)

December 10: SunPiology Sunset Run

December 31: Rescue Run

2011 Year End Run

2012-01-18T16:52:00.002+08:00

Apparently, I became a running addict over December.

I originally planned to join only Animo Run 2011 for my monthly fun run but I also ran Sunset SunPiology Run, Run for Change and Rescue Run in addition to other long distance runs.

Animo Run

Animo Run 2011 from Cath

On December 4, I ran 10k in the 9th Animo Run. I originally planned to solely run this event but things came up and my plan to slack off the rest of December didn't push through. Despite the lack of hydration, route planning and marshalls, I still finished this run.

SunPiology Sunset Run

On December10, I ran my first 3k event in SunPiology Sunset Run. I wanted to run fast in this event but I had a heavy meal so that slowed me down. It was also the first time that I ran a gun run event by myself so I only had one picture.

That's not my name :(

Also since I got a free kit my certificate didn't have my name. I had to edit it to have a decent souvenir for this run.

LSD in La Union

In December 26, I finally rose up and ran for 45 minutes. It was the holiday and I fought the holiday laziness by getting up and running slowly for about 45 minutes. I am not familiar with the place so I just ran straight until it was already 20 minutes and headed back in the other side running straight. The road was so flat that even if I originally planned to run for 30 minutes I ran longer.

Flat roads of Barangay Biday, SFLU

Anyway as I was heading back, I realized I was lost. I apparently made a wrong turn as there was a crossroad in the road I ran. I didn't notice it as the road was really perfect for a slow morning run. I had to find a tricycle to bring me back to our provincial home and I had the driver wait as I ran to get money from our family room. The driver was friendly so he didn't mind and I had a funny story to tell at the breakfast table.

PRC Holiday LSD

Given that I will be running 21k in January 15 at Go Natural Run 2012, I had to run 16k before the actual event so I asked PEx Running Club to join me on doing a Long Distance Run session. CJ mapped a run from Makati to Manila but since I think running to that part of Makati is scary. We ran from Makati to Taguig instead. From my condo, we walked to Salcedo Street and ran from Legazpi Street, two rounds in Ayala Triangle then ran all the way to McKinley Parkway and did a round in the road going to Kalayaan and headed back.

Our photo later on the day. No photos during actual LSD.

We did a total 14k before we had breakfast in Chowking Insular.

Rescue Run (Race for Sendong victims)

The day after our 14k run I decided to join this charity run since our family will be having lunch later in the day so I didn't have to commute to QC on the 30th. The running community supported this run and Team Titans got recognition from having the most team members participate in this run.

Titans to the Rescue from Titan runner

In this race, I ran with Team Titans. They were really fast. Good thing that the fellow new members ran at my pace so I still got to be part of team pictures as we were running.

Some of my PRC fellow members volunteered as marshals so we still had breakfast after.

Afternoon Rush: Run, Race, Run at SunPiology Sunset Run (My First 3k)

2012-01-18T16:51:00.000+08:00

SunPiology Sunset run is an afternoon fun run held to raise fund for Piolo Pascual's and Sunlife Philippines' favorite Charity, Hebreo Foundation (a non-profit organization committed to bringing scholars to school)

SunPiology banner

My First Free Race Kit

This is the first time I ran a race for free. I was just browsing through my facebook notifications when I found one of my friends had posted his information in the Timex Sports Philippines FB Page. So, I went to that page and discovered that they are holding a promo for free kits to Milo Finals and Sunset SunPiology Run. I posted my information as well and 2 days after they announced me as one of the winners of the free kits for Sunset SunPiology Run.

Pre Race

Since I was only running 3k (but my first 3k in an actual race), I decided to do other things. In the morning, I did house chores. Then after lunch, I went to ABAP for my boxing session with Coach Mitch. The race day was on December 10 and it was already the start of the Christmas season. So when I arrived at ABAP, the advanced students was already prepping for a Christmas salu-salo which I was surprised to run into. It was really awkward to just watch them eat so the advanced members invited me to eat with them. I had a hefty serving even if I already had lunch since the buko pie and the cookies was really heavy for the tummy. It was great to get to know some of them, especially I will be joining them once I get used to the basics of boxing. But this blew my schedule out of plans since I had to start my lesson at 2pm instead of the usual 1pm schedule which left me little rest time to prepare for the race.

Race and Run

As I arrived back at the condo, I just grabbed things I needed and headed out to hail a cab to the Fort for the race. I was almost tempted to blow the race off but it was only 3k so it won't hurt me that much. The venue of the race was at Mercato Central which I had never gone too. I arrived in the venue just at the time the 10k runners started running. As I was trailing to the registration area I even saw Team Leader Drew of ANR Ortigas running at a relaxed pace. Since I had won the race kit, I had to find the Timex people first before running my first 3k race.

The muddy assembly area

Lucky for me, I was able to get the race kit, leave my stuff in the baggage area and make my way to the front of the line (feeling elite runner lang) in time for the gun start of the 3k. My strategy for this run was to run as fast as I can since the distance was only 3k. Unfortunately, the weight of the Christmas Salu-salo from ABAP weighed me down and I was forcing myself to finish 3k instead of sprinting. I continued running despite of the difficulty and finished at 18 to 19 minutes.

The only proof I was at SunPiology

This was also the first race that I ran alone so the post race stuff was pretty boring. I got my photo from Canon and headed to the booths for free flyers and left before the program started. I even missed seeing Piolo Pascual finished 10k sub-60. I tried contacting TL Drew but I later found out he left the race early too.

Get the lootbag full of flyers!!

Overall, it was still a nice experience but I would rarely be participating in afternoon fun runs.

Worst Run of 2011: 9th Animo Run 2011

2012-01-18T15:52:00.000+08:00

Last Dec. 4, DLSU Running Club organized the 9th Animo Run 2011. For the ninth year, this fundraising run aims to generate funds for charity.

with Emon who ran his first 10k in this run

I originally planned this run to be my first 10k but another fund raising run came and I was enlisted in 10k category and I decided to take the challenge so this became my 2nd 10k run. I wasn't really expecting a superbly organized run since only students organized this run but the failure to plan and coordinate logistics of the race cannot be excused. I was only planning to run with my DLSU Alumni Friends but some Pex Runners decided to join too, which was a welcome addition to this run's experience.

At Chikka.com Back drop

Token start/finish line photo

What was wrong with this?

Late Gun Start.
No Hydration until the end of the run and if you fell behind, you wouldn't had gotten any hydration.
No marshals, at all. The route passed by another fund raising run and the route included going through a crowd of Red Cross Million Runners run.
The host acted like drunken kids. I know they are kids but this is a professional event.
I had to go back the registration venue to get my timing chip which was really an inconvenience.

Group Picture with PEx Runners

It was a fun experience nonetheless as I was able to run with DLSU alumni friends and Pex running Club members. I would, however, think twice before joining this again.

Credits to Emon and Cath for the photos.

Running for Tuloy Kids: Michelle Estuar's Fund Racing (My First 10k)

2012-01-16T22:15:00.000+08:00

I did my First 10k in Michelle Estuar's Fund Racing.

Fund Racing Poster

I registered for 5k but I was assigned to 10k. I decided to take on the challenge. I was planning to do my first 10k on Dec. 4 (Animo run) anyway.

I ran with Miguel who paced with me until the hills of Ultra and he left us right after. My running buddy Dom ran 5k. I finished fast with I guess was actually less than 10k.

Ran this road twice from greentenial

It was a great event. I was able to see Team Titans and was able to be included in their photo ops.

with Team Titans from Titan Runner

I hope there would be more charity runs like this where racing is all about a cause, not about the organizer, the singlet or the freebies.

Go Natural Updates

2012-01-09T07:32:00.002+08:00

1. Registration for Go Natural Run 2012 is extended until Jan 11 at all in-store registration sites except for RIOVANA wherein registration will be until Friday, Jan. 13

2. Raffle prizes from Resorts World Manila, Air Philippines, Timex and others are in store for lucky runners participating in the race.

Join now!

HSBC Anniversary Run 2011

2012-01-03T19:21:00.000+08:00

My November run was the HSBC Anniversary Run 2011, a fun run to celebrate its anniversary by supporting Aklat Sisikat Foundation (SAS) is a non-profit professional Philippine organization that promotes the love and habit of reading in Filipino children.

Photo at the Starting Line from Cath

I ran with Cath and Dom (who was late) in the 5k category of this race. It was also Gee Ar's first 10k race so we didn't see each other until the end of the race. This was an aimless run and my pacer Speedy Dom wasn't there so I didn't really achieve another PR. It was my first time running a race in MOA, though. The Jose Natori singlet didn't hug my body well so I initially wanted to wear my MH Urbanathlon shirt but Cath urged me to wear it so I wore it over this shirt.

After Race Photo from Dom

It was a fun race but it was just okay for me.

Setting my 5k PR: 2011 Adidas King of the Road

2012-01-03T18:09:00.000+08:00

Adidas King of the Road is a championship race that was held in various places in Asia like Simgapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. the Philippine leg was the culminating race where other Asians had qualified to join.

Pre-Race

After my un-eventful performance in AXN runs Philippines, I made it a goal to finish 5k in less than 30 minutes. My training goes like this:

Tuesday - 10 x 30 secs at 90% effort
Thursday - 5 x 800m at 5k pace
Weekend - Slow Running in 60 to 80 minutes

At KOTR 2011

I pretty much followed this training plan but I rested 2 days before the race. This run also required its participants to register and pay online. So we had to go to a pre-event event to claim all the race kits. It turns out that the singlet is too big and you can't change it to the size that fits you. You had to buy another one for P500. I didn't have extra budget to buy one so I didn't get one even if my singlet was too big for me.

Race

In the Running Zone

When I woke up, I started meditating by saying "I will be finishing 5k in less than 30 minutes" over and over again as advised by Coach Ani de Leon from a Multisport 101 event. I hailed a cab extra early as I was expecting a lot of people since this was a big running event. And just in time since the baggage counter was hard to find and was included in the 2nd wave of 5k. I ran with Dom and her sister since Gee Ar was included in wave 1. Part of the obstacle in running this trying to pass the crowds who block the roads. I did speed up so I would be able to get in front of the pack. The training paid off and I finished at around 28 minutes and achieved my 5k Personal Record (PR).

Post-Race

All finishers was able to receive a very thick medal which as Gee Ar says can be used as a weapon against villains. We had a messenger style loot bag with freebies from all the sponsors. I got to see swimming buddy Christian there who was also getting addicted with Running.

PEx Runners waiting for CJ to finish 21k

Everywhere the venue, running teams' presence was very much felt and so many runners joined this run that it was a great venue to meet other PEx runners by having breakfast in Market! Market!

Finisher's Medal

I would believe that Adidas KOTR 2011 is the best race of the year. It was really organized and worth every peso. I just hope that next year they would support a charity.

How Ortigas tortured me? AXN Runs Philippines 2011

2012-01-03T17:15:00.000+08:00

From a 3 week business trip, I went back to running in Fun Run events in the AXN Runs Philippines that was held last September 18, 2011. I joined the 5k category which meant this was my fourth 5k run.

5K Runner

Nung una, okay pa yung road eh.. But towards the end, uphill was torture.

with Running buddies: Dom and Lee

I was gunning for a sub-30 5k but I didn't really seriously train as I was only running aimlessly around my hotel. So I wasn't able to achieve that goal. Plus, the route was deadly with the uphill near Home Depot. I ran with Dom and Lee in this event. I tried to pace with injured Dom but he was still so fast that I couldn't catch him (Adik lang si Dom na kahit injured eh naka-sub 30 pa rin). There was also a lot of people who ran this event so we started walking at gun start. It was my first time to experience that so that was really annoying.

Highlight of the Post race activities

Post race wasn't that exciting as we got a boring loot bag containing only a box of Athena, a specialized milk for women. The highlight of the post race festivities was the Enervon-C booth where we played the ball catching game with enthusiastic cheerleaders cheering you on. There were a great number of runners too that why the freebies ran out.

Overall, this race was okay. the route was challenging but the start and finish is too congested for that many runners.

Credits to Andrew, Dom and AXN for the photos

Takbo.ph Runfest: My Third 5k

2012-01-02T16:48:00.001+08:00

Back in July 2011, I joined the third Takbo.ph Runfest. The run was the celebration of anniversary of the premiere run site of the Philippines, takbo.ph.

Thirdy in Action at Takbo.ph Run Fest

Being new in the running community, the takbo.ph runfest experience was refreshing since there are people who had formed and flourished friendships through the passion of running. The run featured marshals who cheered you on and hydration of powerade or water.

Hanapin niyo ko sa Takbo.ph Run Fest

This was Dom and Gee Ar's first run so I decided to pace with them but Dom turned out to be really fast so I tried to catch him while Gee Ar left us by running slower.

Post Race with Dom and Gee Ar

The run didn't have a lot of sponsors but this is the first time I earned my first finisher's medal and it was such a rush to get a reward from finishing a 5k course.

My First Finisher's Medal

This run had a lot of mishaps like some runners being led to the wrong route and race results being erased but the overall experience was still great since it was a celebration of running and friendships formed due to running.

My MH Urbanathlon 2011 experience

2012-01-02T16:27:00.000+08:00

MH Urbanathlon is the only run with obstacles in the Philippines so I didn't pass by the chance to join it. I planned to train for this one but I wasn't able to so I just winged it.

I ran with fellow urbanathlon newbies, Dom, Lee and JR. It was a fast paced run where we had to stop to do obstacles then do more face paced runs.

Obstacles and the Race

The first of which was the UP and Down Obstacle where we had to go up a block.

Up and Down Obstacle started with going up a block

Then, we had to crawl down a net.

Urbanathletes crawling down a net

Then we went up and down a platform.

MH urbanathletes walking on a platform

Lastly, we had to jump over a hurdle. Then, went back to fast-paced running.

MH urbanathletes jumping over a hurdle.

The next obstacle was the Scaffolding Race. We had to go up and down, testing our flexibility.

The Scaffolding Obstacle

After more running, we jumped over hurdles near the British School of Manila.

The fourth Obstacle was the Monkey Bars presented by Century Tuna. I feared this one the most but the marshals helped me crossed this obstacle so it wasn't that difficult after all.

A SM Model leading the pack in the monkey bars.

After more running, the last obstacle was the wall where we had to climb up a wall and climb back down before sprinting to the finish line.

That's me climbing up the wall

Overall, it was great experience I would want to to again. According to people who ran the race last year, this year's urbanathlon was a great improvement. I will run this race again next year!

PEx Urbanathles

Post Race

After the race, we met the other Pex Running Club members, Noah, Nollie and Cath to have breakfast with the runners who ran Unilab Run 3 and we had lunch at Gerry's (PRC's favorite hangout).

PEx Urbanathletes meet PEx RU3 Runners

I love the medal's lanyard that I decided to use it in work everyday but I got 2 copies of November to January issues.

Finisher's Medal

My 2011 Christmas Wish List

2011-12-28T07:21:00.000+08:00

It's that time of the year yet again.

My most favorite time of the year. CHRISTMAS, the season where I get to give and receive gifts.

This entry enumerates this year's wish list.

CirqFit Passes from Gym FTX or Circuit Training Passes from 360 Fitness.

FTX December Promo

Closed Cap - I know di na uso pero inarbor kasi yung closed cap ko kaya I want a new one pwede rin kahit hindi. Black, Grey or Blue.

Closed Cap from Google

Boxer Brief. Size 30-32 (Medium) Handford Ice ang Brand ko. - Got one pero I want more. :)

Hanford Ad from Google

Slacks/Chinos. Black, Blue, Grey or Beige. Size: 30 Straight Cut

Slacks from Google

Long Sleeves. Slim Fit Small. checkered or Stripes only. Color na bagay sa kulay ng Pinoy. - Got two pero I want more

Checkered Long Sleeves from Google

Nathan Hydration Belt pang LSD

From Google

Blender - Sira na kasi yung amen - I got this already... Yung Rice Cooker naman!

Blender from Google

Rice Cooker - Luma na kasi yung amen

Rice Cooker from Google

Gift Certificate - Pwede na rin Cash... Pambayad ng Bills...

Gift Certificates from Sodexo

Singlets, Finisher's Shirt and Advocacy Shirt for Go Natural 2012

2011-12-15T12:36:00.002+08:00

In relation to my post about Go Natural 2012, the first important run of next year.

This post details the singlets for all categories (3k, 5k, 10k, 21k)

Blue

Green

Orange

Red

The 21km Finisher's Shirt

The Advocacy Shirt given when you donate at least P150

What are you waiting for?

Join now!

First IMPORTANT 2012 RUN: Go Natural 2012

2011-12-15T11:21:00.000+08:00

The first run I shall be joining next year is Go Natural 2012 sponsored by Nattural Quality Corporation, Run Rio and Resorts World Manila. I was influenced by CJ (nagsusumbong?) to start 2012 by joining the 21k category of this event. My running buddies, PEX Running Club, promised to pace with me on this race so this should be fun.

Join Us!

GONATURAL 2012

Start the year 2012 right with Runrio’sGo Natural on January 15, 2012 at the Bonifacio Global City. Run for the education about Diabetes at an earlyage.

Proceeds from the event will be donatedto ABS CBN’s Ako ang Simula.

Join Go Natural 2012 and run for adiabetes free future.

Live healthy, Go Natural.

RACE CATEGORIES
3K/5K/10K/21K

REGISTRATION FEES
3K – PHP 350
5K – PHP 550
10K – PHP 650
21K – PHp 800

- Includes Bib with Timing Tag andSinglet (21K + Finisher’s Shirt)
- First 1,000 early bird registrants get a special Go Natural Baller ID.Special surprises await those who wear the Baller ID during the run.
- Register 4 + 1 race kit for free for any category (in-store only)
- Donate P150 on top of the registration fee in support of early child diabeteseducation gets a freebie T-Shirt. (pickup race day)

REGISTRATION VENUES

November28, 2011 to January 8, 2012 (12:00 nn – 8:00 pm)
- Toby’s – Shangri-LaMall and SM MOA
- Planet Sports – Trinoma and Glorietta 3
- Riovana – Bonifacio High Street
- Athlete’s Foot – Robinson’s Galleria and Alabang Town Center

Toregister online visit http://www.runrio.com

For More Information visit:
Official Website -> http://www.gonatural.com.ph/gonaturalrun
RunRio Website -> http://runrio.com

Go Natural is brought to you by Ampalaya Plus, Amapalaya Plus Delite Herbal Tea, Slenda,Enduranz, Renalin, Resorts World, Powerade and Viva Mineralized Water.

Press Release:

GO NATURAL 2012

NatturalQuality Corporation (NQC) is sponsoring the first important and biggest run ofthe new year, GO NATURAL 2012, onJanuary 15, 2012 at the Bonifacio Global City.

NQCdecided to sponsor this event because the incidence of diabetes in thePhilippines has increased at a metabolic rate. NQC is spearheading a campaign for the early education of childrenregarding this disease.

Type2 diabetes is a disease borne out of lifestyle. Unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise results in obesity, theleading cause of Type 2 diabetes. Children and their parents need to know that by laying the foundation ofa healthy lifestyle and regular checks, the disease can be prevented.

Forsome adults, it is already too late. Those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes are at a much higher risk fordamage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels. Because of these serious risk factors,doctors advise them to constantly screen for damage, take maintenance drugs tocontrol their blood sugar level. Studiesshow that consuming ampalaya can aid in lowering the blood sugar levels andthereby also lowering treatment costs for people with Type 2 diabetes.And, anyhelp in managing Type 2 diabetes is a plus!

NQC’sAmpalaya Plus and Delite Herbal Tea are both made with a combination ofAmpalaya (Bitter Gourd), Banaba (Queen’s Flower), and LuyangDilaw(Turmeric).

AmpalayaPlus is an all-natural food supplement that helps maintain blood sugar levels.

AmpalayaPlus and Delite Herbal Tea are two of five all-natural supplements in the NQCproduct line. The others are Slenda forweight loss management, Enduranz for restoration of male vitality and Renalinthat promotes kidney wellness.

Proceedsfrom the event will be donated to ABS CBN’s Ako ang Simula who will help mountthe campaign for the early education and awareness of diabetes.

GO NATURAL 2012 is organized by veteranmarathon director Coach Rio dela Cruz under his RunRio group and Brand Action,Inc. Registration fees are 3k - P 350, 5k - P550, 10k - P650 and 21k - P800. 21Kfinishers get a finisher’s shirt to mark their achievement.

Interested parties mayregister at Toby's (Shangri-la Mall and SM Mall of Asia), Planet Sports(Trinoma and Glorietta), Riovana (BGC) and Athlete's Foot (Robinsons Galleriaand Alabang Town Center). For group registrations of 5 people, they can availof the 4+1 promo where the 5^th runner is free. First 1,000 early birdregistrants get a special Go Natural Baller ID. Special surprises await thosewho wear the Baller ID during the run. Promo ends on December 16, 2011. Foronline registration and more details, log on to www.RunRio.com.

NQCwould like to invite everyone to support the campaign for early education ofchildren about diabetes by joining Go Natural Run 2012 or by donating a minimumamount to sponsor a runner. Participatingrunners who would also like to donate an additional P150 over their registrationfees receive an advocacy shirt. Donationsare accepted online through www.gonatural.com.ph.

GO NATURAL 2012 is also sponsored byResorts World. Special thanks to mediapartners The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Daily Inquirer,94.7 Mellow, ABS-CBN and Ako ang Simula.

Free Membership Card in Resorts World Manila

2011-12-14T17:58:00.000+08:00

From a lucky invite, I was able to visit Newport Resorts World that is located near NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay.

Commute to Newport Resorts World Manila

I went to this venue accompanied by my running buddy, CJ. I always thought that the only way to visit this place was through riding a taxi which would cost P150 to 250 from Makati. From CJ's internet research, we were able to commute to Newport Resorts World Manila.

From MRT Taft Station Jeep Terminal,
1. Ride a jeep to the barangay hall tagged as Nichols Terminal 3
2. Ride another jeep in Nicols Ikot and tell the driver to drop you off in Newport.

This establishment also offers free shuttle service from QC, Mall of Asia, Paseo Center and other venues but be sure to check their website before anything else. Check out this link for the latest shuttle schedules and other ways to get to Resorts World Manila.

Free Membership Cards with Perks

Since I am a fan of Genting and Sentosa from Malaysia and Singapore, I have been curious about Newport Resorts Manila for the longest time. They are also hosting the well-loved musical, Sound of Music, which was extended until February 12. Ensogo is currently offering a deal for this one so you may check it out

I urge you to visit Resorts World Manila soon as they are currently offering free membership with a membership card. All you have to do is bring a valid ID and fill out a membership form which collects your basic details. I recommend to fill out the form online as they offer special perks for those who do so. I got a free game of spin 2 win since I registered online.

Free Spin 2 Win Voucher

The membership card has your photo which will be taken on spot before you'll get the card seconds before. This card will offer you discounts (from 5% to 40%) in stores in Resorts World Manila. Shops and Restaurants in Resorts world include Bvlgari, Mango, Puma, McDonalds, Montblanc, Passion Restaurant and many others. All of which offers discounts and promos with your membership card.

Lastly, this membership card offers a loyalty program where you could use points to gamble, buy stuff and purchase a meal.

My membership Card from Resorts World Manila

So do visit Resorts World Manila and get your membership card for free.

Free Fly Yoga Sessions at FTX

2011-12-05T10:05:00.001+08:00

I so love the newest gym in Makati, Gym FTX.

First, I got promo deals from my favorite group deals sites at very reasonable prices. Then, they featured my blog post in their latest deals. Then, they have a Christmas promo for the Cirqfit Bundles (P2990 for 5+4 Passes). Then, Teacher Isla invites me to a free fly yoga sessions.

Christmas Promo

Fly Yoga

Just a refresher, Fly Yoga classes are composed of your basic yoga poses made easier or more challenging by hanging part of your body in a cloth suspended beneath an anchor.

Classes begin by Teacher (either Lalah, Lesley or Dess) introducing everyone else and how Fly Yoga works.

Then you warm up with stretches with the cloth. Then, you go into different poses including body circles, monkey poses and anything Teacher Isla can add to your workout. You will be working your core and stretching most of your body in the poses of Fly Yoga. The conclusion of the session is pose for releasing pain, worries and stresses that your body carries.

Free Fly Yoga Session

Since Teacher Isla and I are now facebook friends (YEY, FTX FTW!), she invited me to free session of fly yoga. I will be attending one if my schedule permits me. The Free Fly Yoga schedules are as follows:

Dec 5 Mon
3:30 - 4:30pm

Dec 6 Tue
3:45 - 4:45pm

Dec 7 Wed
11:00-12:00pm
12:45 - 1:45pm

Dec 8 Thu
3:45 - 4:45 pm

Dec 9 Fri
10:30 - 11:30am
1:15 - 2:15pm
2:30 - 3:30pm

Dec 12 Mon
11:00-12:00pm

3:30 - 4:30pm

Dec 13 Tue
3:45 - 4:45pm

Dec 14 Wed
11:00-12:00pm

12:45 - 1:45pm

Dec 15 Thu
3:45 - 4:45 pm

Dec 16 Fri
10:30 - 11:30am

1:15 - 2:15pm
2:30 - 3:30pm

All participants must be wearing tops with sleeves and bottoms that reach the knees. This is not a requirement but it will be beneficial for you since the cloth may cause you chaffing.

A requirement is wearing a smile and sporting an open mind.

Each session is limited to at most 9 people so be sure to reserve a slot by contacting FTX Gym through their email info@gymftx.com or calling 8223311 or 09162701177. Please mention you got the invite from me, Thirdy. In case you can't make it to their free session, the usual rate is P950/session with discounts if you purchase their bundle passes (5+4 passes). Update: 2+1 Bundle Promo is now available.

FTX Gym Facade from their website

FTX gym is located at Unit 202, Three Salcedo Place, Tordesillas Street, Makati City (above UCPB Tordesillas & Salcedo Velasquez Park)

FTX gym also offers signature workouts called CirqFit where a trainer will be with you every exercise in their circuit programs.

My blog was featured in Ensogo

2011-12-02T11:53:00.001+08:00

It was just a relax day and I was just tweeting when I found that my favorite new Gym, FTX, was having another promo which may mean that I am covered for February to April.

In that deal from ensogo.com.ph, my blog post about Gym FTX Fly Yoga was featured.

That's my blog post!

That's so cool!

Old Swiss Inn

2011-12-01T18:32:00.000+08:00

For almost a few years ago, I had an inkling to try a cuisine out of the usual types. Slash off chinese, filipino, japanese, korean, american and italian. I wanted to try a swiss restaurant. So I googled my way into finding Old Swiss Inn besides Manila Peninsula and at the ground floor of the Olympia Condotel and we tried pasta and a slab of meat which made us full.

From my favorite daily ritual (which is browsing group deal sites), I found a deal from Cash Cash Pinoy. The deal is P1000 worth of fondue in this restaurant.

For starters, we were served butter rolls. We were really hungry then so this gave us something to munch on while we were waiting for our main dish.

Dinner Rolls and Butter

Our main dish is the Neptune Fondue, made with various fish meat, shrimp and squid. We got garlic rice to go with this meal. We love shabu shabu so we enjoyed this meal. The variety of sauces mad this dinner adventure interesting. We'd try all the sauces with different combo.

Neptune Fondue

Sauces

This main dish is really filling so do come in hungry.

Shoe sharing project

2011-11-27T07:21:00.001+08:00

There is currently a shoe sharing project shared to my by fellow runner AdoboKing.

The beneficiaries are the young athletes of Negros Oriental who needed to share shoes to participate in the Palarong Pambansa. The full story can be read from this blog.

The PEx running club is going to donate shoes for this project.

Please support!

More details on this link

360 Fitness Club Challenge: Things I get myself into

2011-11-20T11:07:00.001+08:00

After my first urbanathlon finish, I went on a whim and tried the 360 Fitness Club Challenge. The challenge entailed an inidividual to do a circuit with a 12 lb kettlebell. Since the rest of our running buddies are still on the road, I said to myself, "Why not?" and signed up for the challenge.

Unsuspecting Victim

The challenge

The challenge included 50 kettlebell swings, 25 squat-shoulder press combo on each side and 20 one sided squats. It looked easy but it really wasn't. Kettle bell swings were easy at the beginning but towards the end I could feel my body giving up. Then, I had to do the squat - shoulder press combo. I couldn't even control the kettle bell on the position the trainer told me to do. At the right side, I completed the 25 reps with the last 10 reps extremely wiggly. On the left side, I could only do 10 reps. Then I rested a lot and the trainer was already helping me to raise the kettle bell to a shoulder press. That was my limit.

Kettle bell swings are not easy at all

More Swings you do that harder it becomes

To end the torture, I was finished 20 one sided squats. At that time, I was thinking about joining a gym again. Apparently, not following a regimen hadn't improved my muscles so at that time, I decided to join 360 Fitness Club by next year. I got vouchers from FTX and MAP so I have myself covered in attending gyms for the next 3 months.

Resting at the combo

Struggling at that shoulder press

Trainer is already helping me

Come February though, I have to join a gym on the top of my list is 360 Fitness Club.

Fly Yoga at FTX Gym

2011-11-18T12:39:00.001+08:00

Thanks to group deals (especially to Cash Cash Pinoy), I was able to spot the newest gym in Makati, FTX or Fitness Exchange. The gym is located in the heart of Makati, just behind Makati Sports Club at the exact address of 2nd floor, Three Salcedo Place, 123 Tordesillas St., Makati.

FTX Logo from CCP

The new gym offers classes on yoga, dance, core fusion training, boxing aerobics, muay thai drills and 14 signature workouts. Classes have a schedule but since the gym is still in its early run, the schedules are bound to change based on the clients needs. While the signature workouts can be availed anytime that a trainer is around. I haven't tried the Cirqfit workouts yet but based on what I saw when I went there, the trainer works out with you, too.

Fly Yoga

After office hours, I went from our office in PBCOM to the back of Makati Sports club where the FTX Gym is located and used by Cash Cash Pinoy Vouchers to try Fly Yoga. I have only been to a few classes in Yoga but I do practice Fitness Yoga from Tony Horton's Yoga Flex, Yoga X and Stetching X from the P90x programs since they are good for runners who regularly train like me.

Fly Yoga Ad from CCP

So I was excited to see if how fly yoga works. As expected the class was dominated by females but it was okay since it was a small class. The yoga teacher, Isla (who is also the girl in the CCP ad), started the class getting to know our names and introducing info about yoga and fly yoga.

In the class, the "Fly" would be referring to the cloth anchored to the ceiling. This cloth will carry your body while exercising your core through yoga. Being a person that weighs 140+ lbs, the cloth was able to carry my whole weight so if you weight the same weight as me. I could guarantee your safety.

The warm up immediately included the use of the cloth so our bodies was "flying" little by little. I don't really remember the actual yoga terms but our session included body circles with half circle and quarter circle variations (out upper bodies flew in a circle); Monkey God pose with Variation (our leg was flying away while we stay grounded on the floor) and a lot more poses which I forgot how they are called.

To end the workout, we did the hanging corpse pose which was called that since it practiced letting go of everything in this pose our whole body flew while our teacher commanded our bodies to let go.

The workout was fun and really challenging. It needed the student to engage a lot of your core muscles. Our teacher also showed us things we could learn in the future like inverted split, head stand, etc wherein the cloth could make things harder or easier. The only con would be the good pain aftermath which meant your body was growing because of the workout.

Looking forward to my next fly yoga session at FTX.

For inquiries, contact 822-3311 or 0916-2701177.

Running in the Rain: My 2nd 5k at Slimmerun 2011

2011-11-17T09:51:00.001+08:00

After experiencing my first fun run in May 2011, I was hooked. I decided to join at least 1 fun run event every month.

And for the month of June, my running buddies (Gelo, KC and JR) came into a consensus to join the Slimmerun 2011. It was originally schedule on the end of June but a big typhoon came to the country at that time so it was postponed to the 2nd week of July.

Slimmerun Stage

So July comes but the rains are still rampant in the Metro but the run was on still on the GO according to tweets and fb posts so I prepped early in the morning at 5am and asked where KC is (since he was my cab pool buddy) and he was sound asleep. When he finally picked up, he declared the run cancelled and went back to sleep. But I wanted to go despite the rain so I called JR, who was supposed to have his first 5k experience in this fun run event, but he too didn't want to run in the rain. So my last resort to running with a friend was Gelo who wasn't picking so I decided to skip the run too. I changed into my sleeping clothes and was about to shut my eyes when I received a call from Gelo. He was already in the venue and was looking for us. I decided to go and changed into my running attire.

I hurriedly got into a taxi and made my way to BGC. Since I wasn't familiar with the place, as it was also my first time to run in BGC. I dropped off Market! Market! and jogged my way to the starting line. I came just in time as the 10k runner were prepping to start running. I checked my things in and made our way to the starting line but the 5k gun start was already fired so we just caught up with the other runners.

Start/Finish Line

This was my best run so far. It was my first time to run 5k nonstop and the first time I broke my PR and set a new one.

By the end of 5k, I was exhausted so I learned I needed to learn a new skill getting good pictures from amateur photographers in fun runs. It was a fun experience despite the rain and the small puddles of water that wet my shoes.

First PR

To cap off the morning, the loot bag was the greatest loot bag ever, it included a box of premium cold cuts from purefoods, tons of giveaways and short lines to eat all you can sandwiches and cold cuts. We spent most of our time in repeatedly getting bottles of diet juices and giveaways and in a long line to a photobooth.

Best Loot Bag EVER!!!!

Slimmerun 2011 is the best fun run so far basing on sponsors and the amount of people who joined. I didn't regret the decision of running in the rain.

11-11-11

2011-11-11T14:20:00.001+08:00

A lot of people are making a big deal with 11-11-11 (November 11, 2011).

It's a good thing though as businesses like Cebu Pacific, Zest Air, Shakey's Pizza, Oxygen and other establishments are holding promos and sales.

But despite the unique date, nothing is really special about this day. 11-12-11 will be tomorrow's date. If you will think about it this date, you will only experience this once as you would probably be dead by November 12, 2011.

Treats

2011-10-31T12:57:00.000+08:00

Earlier this year, I was awarded a performance bonus due to my promotion and I decided to treat my family.

Sweets

I was browsing in my favorite group buying deal and one of the deals I encountered was this deal from Cash Cash Pinoy for brownies. On the day we set my dinner treat for my family, I claimed this sweet pasalubong. I was expecting to just pass by SM Ayala and board the MRT to Trinoma but since I was the only one who wrote SM Ayala Cart in the options. The salesperson got confused and directed me to the branch where the gate to Glorietta was also located. So I went to the SM Ayala Cart to the Glorietta Gate branch and SM Ayala Cart while awaiting numerous clarification from managers.

Glimpse of brownies from brownies unlimited

I am a patient person so the waiting didn't turn me into the Incredible hulk. (LOL)

Lesson learned, though, to choose the more popular branches. They get this done faster.

Dinner

I wanted to use my freebies from California Pizza Kitchen but we already decided on the token chinese restaurant so we just had dinner there and took the free pizza home.

Our Chinese Dinner

I hope for more blessings to share for my family and friends.

My look at that day

2011-10-28T11:44:00.000+08:00

I have a twitter friend, Michael who keep a style blog called Show Me Your Look Today. In that blog, he details his personal style and styles of his friends.

As a twitter user with a blog, he usually tweets his latest blogpost and I usually check it out and inspired by the spirit of his blog, I am writing a blogpost about my look on the day we went to Tagaytay.

If you are a fashionista and my look is so not cool, I am open to suggestions, as well as sponsorship so do leave a comment.

Look No. 1

Since Tagaytay weather is supposedly cooler that the temperature in Manila, I made it a point to wear jackets and long sleeves. The first attire for that vacation was a gray long sleeve shirt from Old Navy which I bought before out movie day at Pennsylvania when that storm stopped me from going to any tourists spot. I originally bought it since I forgot to bring any jacket and the cinema seems cold. I also wore token dark jeans and rubber shoes so my feet would be comfy when walking... I wore this ensemble from the time we got to our hotel, to the time we looked around the nearby shops until dinner.

Sporting my gray long sleeves shirt in cool Tagaytay

Look No. 2

I love earthy colors and basics so to compliment my Bieber jacket, which I got from H&M. I worn a white shirt with a twist. The white shirt had buttons like a poloshirt has but it has no collar. So it's a plain white shirt with a twist. I also wore the same dark jeans and rubber shoes. I wore this ensemble from the morning photo op, to lunch at Leslie's up to the time we arrived back to Manila.

Plain white shirt with a twist under my Bieber jacket

Thus, concluding my attempt to do a style blog post. Did I do well?

PEX invited me to an exclusive bloggers event by Pizza Hut set to present the new Tuscani Pizza with Shamcey Supsup

2011-10-27T10:47:00.000+08:00

The Invite
I was just waiting for my slow computer finish my code deployment and tweeting at the same time when I saw this tweet from PEX (@pinoyexchange)

I was instantly curious of this opportunity so I introduced myself as a blogger and I found that PEX is inviting bloggers to an exclusive Pizza Hut event featuring their latest endorser, Binibining Pilipinas - Universe Shamcey Supsup.

Excited with the information, I heckled my way into this event and I got an invite the day after.

Preparation

The event was scheduled on 6pm. Since I leave the office before 7pm, I had to find a way to be there earlier so I watched less TV that day and arrived at the office at 9am. This successful attempt lead me to be able to leave the office at 6pm. However, being in a hurry lead me to forget to send an email to my boss so I was worrying about that during my walk to the event venue.

Token picture with Shamcey Supsup featuring the Tuscani Pizza

As I arrived, a lot of bloggers were already there swarming around Shamcey. Lucky enough, admin Nakura and my buddy Jean was there to help me get a token picture and get seated with the rest of the PEX bloggers. Aside from having to be acknowledge as an actual blogger by PEX, I got to meet people from my blogroll, Madmader who was also there with madfather; SweetKay (better known as TS to most of the PEX clubs) and jessica_wabbit (foodie whose blog introduced me to Hawker 101).

Tuscani Pizza

To tell you honestly, I didn't really remember a lot about the Tuscani pizza as I was enjoying the company of PEX bloggers and the rest of the PEX team. I was also baffled by how respectable Jean, my friend who I know to do crazy dancing and apparently host for the night (at least when he's sober), was.

Jean behaving as a respectable member of society

But I do remember how flavorful the All Meat Tuscani Pizza was. I do recommend this for a pizza treat to your friends and family.

New All Meat Tuscani Pizza

But since Pizza Hut gave bloggers gifts for attending, I owe them a review of the Tuscani Pizza, which I will be talking about as soon as I find time to go on a Tuscani Pizza food trip.

Acknowledgements

Capping off this entry, I would like to extend my gratitude to Pinoyexchange, the PEX Bloggers club and Pizza Hut for giving us a wonderful night.

PEX Bloggers Club with Nakura from SweetKay

You might like to check out the facebook page of Pizza Hut as they are having a promo.

Why should you join a gym?

2011-10-25T17:58:00.000+08:00

A gym is a place where people of all sizes, all ages and all kinds of lifestyle go to attend a physical fitness classes and practice fitness activities like weightlifting and cardiovascular exercises.

Gold's Gym Logo

Years before, going to a gym has been a dream of mine. And after a lot of decisions, I joined Gold's Gym in 2010. Early this year, I transferred to a boxing gym but in the middle of the year, I opted to workout at home since I developed a routine for fitness already.

But for a certain type of people, going to a gym is advice-able.

For a couch potato, you should join a gym 'coz:
1. You will be forced to change your lifestyle. You are paying monthly fees so better make use of the gym.
2. You will be inspired with the people who are working out in the gym. You'll be saying to yourself if they could do it so can I.
3. You have "experts" for your consultation but for an additional fee. "Trainers" costs a lot but sometimes the expense is an investment to a better you.

Before I start my workout in Gold's Gym Intercon

For a fitness enthusiast, you should join a more specialized gym (like 360 Fitness, Crossfit MNL or a MMA gym) coz:
1. You will not be bored with your workouts as these gym has no same exercise like chain gyms where you do the same thing over and over again.
2. You will be forced to keep a routine or a gym buddy will beat you in an exhibition competition or a tally board.
3. You are guided by professionals who actually know what you need. That is worth the investment.

Now, this blog post is making me want to enroll in a gym with an actual program. But due to budget concerns, I shall be using groupon deals in the mean time to satisfy my "need" to work out in a gym.

If you share the same concern, check this deal out. P950 for 5 sessions of gym classes and 3 personal training sessions from Cash Cash Pinoy

Member na ako ng Blogs ng Pinoy!!!

2011-10-25T12:33:00.000+08:00

Look me up at (,") BLOGS NG PINOY (",), ang directory ng mga blogs na gawa ng Pinoy! Dito, pwede kayong magpalista ng iyong blog (o blogs), at makipaghalubilo sa iba pang mga Pinoy bloggers worlwide!

My 360 Fitness Club Experience

2011-10-18T22:05:00.000+08:00

I first read about 360 Fitness Club in an article in Men's Health. According to my vague memory of the article, 360 Fitness Club is a gym that specializes in circuit training.

What interested me the most in that article is the utilization of your time to finish a whole workout within half an hour or 30 minutes. So upon finding out, I searched for the gym's website and scheduled a trial but the venue was in Ortigas and for someone who lives in Makati. It is impractical to join a gym that is out of my way.

In January this year, the company planned to have a branch in Makati but they only opened sometime in October. By that time, I didn't really spend much on gyms as I am now working out at home. So I didn't deemed it necessary to check it out but my friend, Mr. Adobo King urged me to accompany him to do a trial but he was too busy to go with me so last Monday, I did a trial workout with 360 Fitness Club Makati.

It's been a while since I had to go to an actual gym so I used my Men's Health Gym Bag and loaded it with gym clothes and office stuff. I scheduled it at 7:30pm but I was able to get to the gym by 7:00pm and they accomodated me.

The gym is located in the 7th floor, Dolmar Building, Carlos Palanca Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City.

The workout

The work out starts at the stairs leading to the 7th floor.

Then at the front desk, they will had you a key so you could change into your workout clothes. Since, the gym is still new. The locker/shower room is clean and all the bathroom stuff is very new.

After that, they tasked me to fill up a form used to access my fitness level. For unfit people, don't be afraid to answer this form. This is just used to evaluate which level they will put you in.

After filling up the form, they guy in the front desk introduced me to a trainer, Coac FG. He asked me standard questions about where I found out about the gym and their programs and the activities I do. Then, he briefed me about out trial workout.

The workout is a non-stop series of exercises with 20 stations. Each even-numbered station is a station where you need to do strength training exercises. They have different equipments from dumbells, TRX, pushup wheel and kettle bells and even your own body. Also, the even-numbered station has 5 levels, concentration in various aspects of muscle building. While each odd-numbered station are active rest stations where you have to jog in place, jump rope and other low impact cardio movements.

The strengthening stations concentrated on exercises that generally targets a muscle group but works the entire body. I had to do squats, deadlifts, pullups, inverted pushups, pushups, One legged squats, planks and other exercises. I continually worked at each station for 30 seconds, completing a round at 10 minutes. I had to do 3 rounds. Thus, completing a workout at 30 minutes.

After the workout, the coach catered to another customer and I was done. Then, I asked for the rates and asked to come back when I decide to join.

The monthly fees are from P1,700 to 2,700 depending on the length of your membership. It seems costly for a gym that offers a workout that could be done at home. I am interested to join but I'll reconsider this when I get a bigger discount. This gym is a good variant to the usual gym like Gold's and Fitness First that is just a gym where you do your own program.

Run to Build, my first 5k

2011-10-01T16:24:00.001+08:00

This may be overdue but like what they say, "Better late than never".

So in this overdue blog post, I shall be telling you about my first 5k experience.

Hotel Kimberly Photo

For quite sometime, I made a goal to join a fun run. I tried to join a friend in a fun run where he ran 5k but I was way too late to join since the registration venue was moved to a farther place.

So later on, another friend told me that he could join me when I wanted to be part of a 5k race. Then, I looked up a race and informed that friend to join this race. My other friend also decided to joined us and we were set to run this 5k race.

Start/Finish Photo

To get ready, I ran every other morning for two weeks. I miss a few days, though.

Race Day

I got up early since my friend and I agreed to meet before 5am. Then, we got there a lot earlier before gun start. It was a good decision since the race attendant apparently gave me a bib for 10k so I got that change.

My first 5k was great. I ran as continually as possible. I only walked for less than 7 minutes.

My first official personal record

I was thrilled to get a good time finish, get the loot bag, take Facebook pictures and get more freebies. The usual fun run event things.

From then, I was hooked to running and joining fun run events.

Ramblings of a Couch Potato

2011-10-01T15:37:00.000+08:00

Today is Saturday and it's raining outside. It's also really windy and (I guess) a typhoon (named Quiel) is here.

I am a couch potato today.

Talking Ben from Google Images

Although, I woke up early to run for 50 minutes at CCP Complex. A new weekly routine that I decided to do as part of my training for the Adidas KOTR Race on October 23, 2011. Then, I ate my breakfast and slept until noon. I woke up to clean the dishes and decided to be a couch potato today.

I had seen my new TV shows namely Whitney, Charlie's Angels, the Secret Circle and the Vampire Diaries.

Gilmore Girls from Google Images

Since I seen them, I ran out of things to watch so I am now watching Gilmore Girls.

I planned a few other things, though. But I am too lazy to get them done. I wanted to go to a blood drive in Mall of Asia. I even posted it in my Facebook Wall and confirmed at the FB activity. But it ends in 5pm and it's now 3:30pm so I am missing it now. I wanted to go boxing too but I wasn't able to schedule a training since the coach I was texting is now in a foreign country. I'll try again next week.

I'll be posting more thing with a lot more sense later.

Just an update

2011-09-28T17:51:00.000+08:00

I have been meaning to add an entry in my blog but I have been swapped at work since Monday.

First, I have been given development tasks so I am not as free as I was.

Then, the bosses decided to add Canada Forms to the scope of my actual project. So I have been spending less time with online stuff.

Anyway, that's just a short update.

All I wanted to post are these dancing gif's that a friend tweeted me:

Then, this bear changes costume to continue dancing.

Then, he closes the show with a bow.

How adorable is that?

Lunch at PB & Co

2011-09-22T18:01:00.000+08:00

I asked my friend out for lunch last night. We made plans to do so I just made those plans concrete.

Inside the Store

I wasn't really out to do any food trip-ping soon but my friend wanted to try food at PB & Co.

Hmmm, what to order?

PB & Co is a small restaurant that served different dishes that has peanut butter in it. The Paseo Center branch is a franchise of the US brand. The store sells meat sandwiches with peanut butter, pasta with peanut butter, fried food with peanut butter and grilled dishes with peanut butter. Don't forget they also sell different flavors of peanut butter, as well as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Photos while waiting for my friends to arrive

I tried the Curry Chicken Spaghetti and had their bestseller, Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly. I rarely go out to eat so I am not really one to judge technically. In my opinion, the food was good. The prices are a bit expensive ranging from P45 to P185 but the food was filling and the flavor was creamy (of course, it was peanut butter).

Peanut Butter Burger Sandwich

Anyway, I'll be attempting to recreate the curry chicken spaghetti next week. Let's see if I can mimic the taste of the restaurant's offering.

Thirdy on Running

2011-09-21T18:21:00.001+08:00

This post shall be reposted in my running blog, That Running Buddy

Running is one of my favorite things as of the moment. However, I hadn't always enjoyed running.

When I started running

In 2010, I made it a goal to live a fitter lifestyle and part of my gym routine is running in the threadmill. I first started walking and running in the threadmill for 30 minutes and progressed to running in 30 minutes. I was so proud of myself that I attempted to repeat that feat when running on a road near our condo but failed as it was to difficult for me, then. For a month, I googled how to run 30 minutes without stopping and I was able to finish the program in a month where I became bored towards its completion so I decided to abandon running and try other cardio activities as I found running really boring.

When I started running again

Come 2011, I made a goal to try a 5k fun run race at least once. I tried to organize fun run with my swim buddies but our plans always don't follow through. But one day after a conversation with a gym buddy who is an avid runner. I decided to join my first 5k on May. I was so excited for this race that I trained for 2 weeks before and went to the venue early. I finished great at 35 to 36 minutes.

When I found running exciting

After my first race, I came to a decision to do one race per month. I had found friends to attend fun runs and we all share the same passion for running. I scheduled the next run to be Slimmerun in mid-June but it rained hard so it was postponed to July. At that time, I had already joined 2 more fun run events by takbo,ph and Milo. So my July run became 3 fun runs.

Run to Build, May 2011

Slimmerun, my second 5k was such an experience since it was slightly raining but the efforts paid off since I got an impressive record there, which was 31:19. A few weeks later, I joined my third run in takbo.ph runfest where I run at the pace of newbie runners, Gee Ar and Dom. But had a great finish at 32 to 33 minutes.

Slimmerun, July 2011

We skipped Milo marathon since it was raining hard and we were sleepy.

And my last run AXN Runs Philippines, I got an okay finish at 31:55 despite the uphill of Julia Vargas. I still enjoy running until now and I find new running friends and set new running goals.

Running became a regular routine

As I mentioned, joining Fun Run events had became a staple in my budget. I allot money for registration fees in at least one race.

If possible, I run at least 3 times a week. My usual routes are the road in front of our condo and Ayala Triangle.

AXN Runs Philippines, September 2011

Recently, I came to a decision of aiming to run 5k at 25 minutes. I googled a program and have been following week 2 as strict as I can. The first week was painful as I experience pain all over my legs after the speed work routines even if I wasn't able to follow it. But I am still aiming to achieve that feat and I want to get a new PR in Adidas KOTR, which is our next run in October 23.

I do hope I achieve that goal.

Next steps in running

I haven't made my mind about gunning for a marathon unlike one of my running buddies who is in his 5th week of a run-a-marathon program in 3-5 months. But after achieving a PR of less than 25 minutes. I shall be repeating that feat at least 2 more races before heading up to a 10k PR. Then, I'll figure it out when I achieve that.

My Manila International Book Fair experience

2011-09-21T13:01:00.002+08:00

As I previously posted, I have been looking forward to the Manila International Book Fair 2011, held on September 14 to 18,2011 at the Mall of Asia Convention Center. And I went to this event last Saturday, September 17, 2011.

32nd MIBF Poster

Here is how it went:

I woke up at around 10am after late night or should I say morning. With 3 hours of sleep, I prepared and went to Mall of Asia. On my way to Buendia, I remembered that I should have brought the free ticket from OMFLit. But since entrance to the book fair is only P20. I opted not to waste P16 just to get the print-out. So at around 10:30am, I was walking to the Conference Center. Instead of being mesmerized by the amount of books and the deals they can be purchased, I went to the book fair methodically, starting from left to right.

In the far left I encountered, Crossover books which are all P100. Luckily, I was able to get 2 John Maxwell books and one CD. I got all the Maxwell titles except the one in Conversation Tagalog since I wouldn't be able to enjoy such a book in that kind of presentation. Not that I am against Tagalog, I just absorb concepts better in John Maxwell's original language.

Anyway, I continued to walk from left to right when I found the Summit Media booth. I love this booth. I had loots from this booth from 2008. The first thing I did was renew my Men's Health subscription. Since I have been becoming an avid runner, I also decided to get a Runner's World subscription. The booth is giving out 4 free back issues and a MH gym bag for any 1 year subscription. Since I got 2 1-year subscriptions, I got 8 back issues and 2 gym bags. Each gym bag had free Nivea products. So no need to get lotion and shaving cream for the next few months. I also got a Summit Magazine's current issue so I got one more back issue.

I got 2 back issues of Entrepreneur for my mom and my sister, 4 back issues of Women's Health to supplement my Men's Health magazines, 1 back issue of FHM so I could check what is inside the magazine and 2 back issues of Men's Health to pictures out. In hind sight, I should had gotten other magazines as I already have lots of magazine picture. Anyway, that would just be something to remember next year.

MIBF 2011 Loot

I continued to stroll around the booths for more deal when I got a call from my friend who also went to the book fair. We later went out to lunch after I got a recipe book for grilling and 3 Jughead comic books at P30/each with had a tagalog dictionary which I had no use for.

As I left the convention center, I felt good to have gotten good deals and sleepy for needing more hours to sleep.

I, then went to lunch with my friend and checked out the sale in Penshoppe and other stores in Mall of Asia before heading home. It was difficult to check out sale items when you are carrying two bags full of book fair loot.

But not so difficult that I got sunglasses at Soda for P100.

Thirdy on Boxing

2011-09-16T17:38:00.002+08:00

When my Gold's Gym membership expired, I was in search of an different kind of gym. The normal chain gyms like Gold's Gym, Fitness First and Slimmer's World pretty much offer the same thing, a place where you could use their gym equipment and attend group classes.

As group classes was impossible for me to attend as during the busy project times, I was going home at 7:10pm at the earliest. Plus, I was looking for ways to be more "tipid" in my gym dues. I decided to check out a boxing gym. By the end of January, I decided to join Punchout a boxing gym and I paid for a 5 month membership.

Regular Boxing

Doing a boxing pose

I scheduled my boxing every Tuesday and Thursday unless I go on leave or stuck in office where I cancel my plan to do boxing. I had almost the same training coach. He first taught me drills with jab and straight then he taught me how to do uppercut drills and then hook and combos. Then, I was pretty much left on my own while I punch the bag, the wall bag, the speed ball and the suspended hanging bag. Boxing was fun especially in the summer where I'm extremely wet with sweat the most after working out. However, it later became boring and more routine-ary as I do everything on my own except the drills with the trainer and the trainer pretty much sends texts when I'm doing drill with the equipment. So when my contract expired, I stopped going to a gym and did workouts at home.

But I still miss it

However, I still miss boxing so I decided to do a training session per month. I found another gym that offers boxing at a cheaper rate. My first session is pretty much the same drill except the trainer was watching me every step of the session. He even corrected my foot work which the coach from my previous gym did correct even if I was working out there for 5 months. The bad thing though was he abruptly ended my session even if I hadn't had a bout with the wall bag yet when another client came.

Through thread in PinoyExchange, I discovered an alternative gym. I shall be trying it out next week and if it works out I will try boxing every week.

I'll update you how it would go.

Manila International Book Fair

2011-09-15T16:39:00.000+08:00

Every year, book and other publishing companies gather in a single venue to celebrate reading in the Manila International Book Fair. In this event, book signings, story telling and book sales occur. An event for a book, comic or magazine readers shouldn't miss.

Past Years

I remember going to the Manila Book Fair 2006 as a participant in the Literary Fest wherein I performed a poetry reading of a poem I did with my Writers' Guild orgmates. The poem is a form of poetry wherein one person writes a line and the next person does the next one and so on and so forth. Then, after our performance I went inside the book fest event and went home with a loot of comics that costs P100 or something for 10 comics. I remember not planning to buy anything then going home with a loot of unplanned purchases. I got comics at a bargain including Mutant X, Xmen and Spiderman.

In 2007, I wasn't in the Philippines when it was held so I missed it. Sad for me.

But in 2008, I got another great loot where I got my first back issues of Men's Health, as well as other titles

2009 Loot

In 2009, I was able to find a lootbag promo for P2000 only. I placed the complete paperback series ofHarry Potter and a few kiddie books which I sent to my sponsored kid from World Vision. I also bought a Carlo Vergara book and even had it signed.

2010 Loot

Last year, I renewed my Men's Health Subscription at the Summit Media booth and got 5 free back issues. Also, I got John Maxwell book at a discount which I honestly haven't read yet.

32nd MIBF

I read in some blog posts that MIBF featured the first book readers conference on its first day, September 14. I really don't know what does that mean so I guess I didn't miss a lot. But I guess I did. They also said David Pomeranz is performing sometime which I really don't care for, too.

What I am excited about is renewing my Men's Health Subscription and getting a Runner's World Subscription. I wonder if what freebies I could get. As well, Filipino books bargain and maybe I would be able to meet a book writer or even two.

Also, if you are planning to go to the Manila Book Fair this Saturday. Gimme a ring. Maybe we could meet each other there.

Lastly, check out this link for free tickets.

Reminder (Paalala)

2011-09-15T15:39:00.002+08:00

Dear Thirdy,

Don't forget to put pictures on your blog entries. Most of your pictures are saved in your hard disk anyway so you should be done when you get to doing it.

From,
Thirdy who is not busy at work but has no access in facebook

Thirdy on Swimming

2011-09-15T15:23:00.001+08:00

I was reading a blog post, a Men's Health article or other Men's Exercise magazine when I got the idea to blog about my favorite sports. On the top of the list is no other than swimming.

How I learned swimming?

I learned to swim late 2008 with Bert Lozada Swim School (PCA branch) under the instruction of Coach Danny. I wanted to learn to swim the longest time and having a bigger salary than my previous work, allowed me to actually enroll in a swim school. The first link in google when you search manila swim schools is Bert Lozada Swim School which I believe is the biggest swim school in the Philippines. For 10 sessions from November 2008 to February 2009, I learned the free style aka front crawl, backstroke, breast stroke and the butterfly.

For the rest of 2009, I only practiced swimming in the small pool in our condo but I only did it rarely. Just when I felt like I wanted to swim. I think we went on pool trips. At those days, I swam and practiced my strokes.

Fitness

Last year, I decided to live a healthier lifestyle and I enrolled in Gold's Gym Intercon. Membership in that gym included free use of the hotel pool which had a kid's end at 3 feet and a non-diving adult's end at 9 feet. The gym was near my office so 3 times a week I would go to the gym and in the days in between I would go swimming at the hotel pool. Towards the beginning of 2010, I decided to accompany an online friend at a pool in Makati. The pool was an olympic sized pool called Makati Aquatic Sports Arena. I fell in love with the 50 meter pool. At first, it was extremely tiring to go from one end to another but after a few more practice sessions with more online friends from pinoyexchange. I was able to do 100m laps and I was even able to do a 150m lap at the peak of my swimming addiction. On a practice session, I would be able to do 800m even to 2km during my swimming addiction peak. Unfortunately when it started to rain around June 2010, it became difficult to organize these practice session with my swimming buddies. So I almost regularly, just swam on my own. The was a time towards the middle of the year when we tried to attempt to make the group swim meetings regular and we did it in the morning but my complexion turned darker because of too much sun and I decided to change my swim schedule to afternoon and my swim buddies started becoming busy again. Due to other schedule conflicts, I wasn't able to swim regularly too but I try to go to MASA for a swim when I could.

Swimming with Ae and Izzy

Swimming this year

I continued to swim not as regularly as I like so at one point, I was only able to swim 500m and I was dead tired. Also this year, I met Kuya Herman in Pex who taught me how to dive and do tumble turns of which I haven't mastered yet. On March, I came to decide that I wanna try doing an aquathlon but the dates of the event and the date of our departure for out KL-SG trip was the same so I had to let go of that event. I was actually ready to give it a whirl. I even had my friend, KC (addicted runner then) to be the runner for a relay but I had to cancel since we were leaving for a vacation trip.

Swim Practice with the rest of the team

Anyway, I continued to swim as regularly as I could but I couldn't do 5 hour practice sessions anymore since I became afraid of having a darker complexion from the intense sun in the morning. Also, swimming with my swimming buddies came less oftern since they started to become all kinds of busy.

However, it doesn't mean I like swimming less. I will be going back to regular swimming by October 1 or 2. I have to start training for the Ateneo Aquathlon next year. Plus, I want to see my swimming buddies and catch up on what's going on with everybody.

So, kita kita na lang sa pool!

My Fall TV Plan (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

2011-09-14T17:00:00.001+08:00

Thursday

The Vampire Diaries

Promo Photo from Google Images

Why I am watching? for the waaaah moments

Charlie's Angels

Cast Photo from Google Images

Why I am watching? I gave Hawaii Five 0 a chance and it payed off.

The Secret Circle

Cast Photo from Google Images

Why I am watching? Witches!

Friday

Nikita

Sticker from getglue.com

Why I am watching? She's a kiss ass woman on TV

Supernatural

Promo Photo from shadowlocked.com

Why I am watching? I like the Supernatural, eh.

Grimm

Promo Photo from Google Images

Why I am watching? I like the Supernatural, eh.

Saturday

I won't have any shows to watch. This is either movie or catching up night for the other shows I missed.

My Fall TV Plan (Tuesday and Wednesday)

2011-09-14T16:36:00.000+08:00

Tuesday

For Tuesdays, I shall be looking out for the following:

90210

Season 4 Promo Photo from Google Images

Why I am watching? Highschool drama turned College drama. More entertaining? yes.

Glee

Brittany's back to school photo from hollywoodreporter.com

Why I am watching? My best guess is its the groups last year. They're seniors now, right?

The Biggest Loser

Title Card from Google Images

Why I am watching? After 11 seasons of not watching the show, I decided to see it this fall to serve as inspiration.

Ringer

Promo Photo from daemonstv.com

Why I am watching? Sarah Michelle Gellar

New Girl

Poster from Google Images

Why I am watching? The trailer was awww.... Maybe the show will be awww.. too

Wednesday

For Wednesdays, I shall be looking out for the following:

Survivor

Cast photo from survivorfever.net

Why I am watching? I'm a fan and watching last season's predictable win, I am expecting a crazier game.

ANTM

Title Card from Google Images

Why I am watching? My favorite guilty pleasure

Happy Endings

Cast photo from seat42f.com

Why I am watching? Really entertaining and maybe this season they'll show episodes in their correct order

Up All Night

Poster from filmaffinity.com

Why I am watching? Christina Applegate

Revenge

Cast photo from from filmaffinity.com

Why I am watching? I saw the unaired pilot and I'm intrigued.

American Horror Story

Poster from americanhorrorstory.info

Why I am watching? A friend recommended this one and I'm giving it a chance.

My Fall TV Plan (Sunday and Monday)

2011-09-14T15:44:00.000+08:00

And the TV shows are returning!

It's already fall and the TV series season had began once again.

To those of you who doesn't know, I'm an avid TV guy. I had been stucked to the tube ever since re-runs of Magilla Gorilla on RJTV 29 and Sesame Street was showing in GMA 7.

I once dared to create a TV Series blog but I became to lazy to maintain it.Anyway, this blog post generally chronicles my plans for this fall TV Season.

Sunday

To begin the week, I shall be downloading the following shows that were released on Sunday.

The Simpsons

Title Card from Google Images

Why I am watching? Despite being the longest running TV show with 20+ seasons, I still love and will watch the Simpsons. Out of loyalty and because I am still entertained.

Once Upon a Time

Title Card from Google Images

Why I am watching? Something about present day and fairy tales merging in one world interests me so I am watching it.

Desperate Housewives

New Promo Poster from Google Images

Why I am watching? I'm a loyal TV show fan since it began and with this series ending, it would be stupid for me to miss this.

Pan Am

Title Card from Google Images

Why I am watching? After being recently addicted to anything Catch Me If You Can which featured stewardesses from Pan Am, I am willing to give this show a chance.

Monday

Monday aka Comedy Night is full of sitcoms and some exceptions. I shall be looking out for the following:

How I met your mother

Season premiere photo from tvfanatic.com

Why I am watching? Despite being entirely sure that they won't be revealing anything about the mother this season. I still watch this show 'coz it is funny.

Gossip Girl

Season 5 set pictures from spoilersguide.com

Why I am watching? Honestly, this is out of loyalty. As, it is already uninteresting.I want this to end soon but tweens might kill me so I'll just keep watching.

Two and a Half Men

Cast photo from aceshowbiz.com

Why I am watching? I wanna see how they kill off Charlie and let's face it, this is the last season as patterns show.

Hart of Dixie

Sticker from getglue.com

Why I am watching? Rachel Bilson (period)

Mike and Molly

Scene from the show from buddytv.com

Why I am watching? C'mon.. It's adorable!

Hawaii Five 0

Steve McGarrett in Prison from Google Images

Why I am watching? TV Action at its best and Alex O'Loughlin

Target Heart Rate

2011-09-14T14:50:00.000+08:00

In my US Trip, I decided to buy a Heart Rate Monitor. I got mine at a discount of 40-ish%.

My heart rate monitor measures the heart rate through a chest strap and by touching sensors at the watch's face. I just thought that was a cool functionality for a sports watch and will be of good use to me when I exercise.

My Heart Rate Monitor

Since I dunno what it does 'coz I rarely see anyone with that gadget. It is just a cool gadget that does something cool. I decided to read up on it.

It turn out tracking your heart rate ensures that you are burning most calories when you are doing cardio exercise. To effectively do cardio exercises, your heart rate should be 50% to 60% of its maximum at warm up and 60% to 85% of its maximum when doing an exercise to be really burn fat and other calories.

Learn more by asking our friendly resources, Google.

Catch me If You Can On Broadway

2011-09-12T15:40:00.001+08:00

I really should blog my US Trip adventures sequentially but songs from Catch me If You Can is bugging me so much aka LSS(Last Song Syndrome). I just had to blog something about it.

Self photos at Neil Simon Theater

On my last day in the US, I decided to spend it in New York. In our office, long weekends meant opportunity to travel and majority of people would be catching a flight somewhere to spend the Labor Day Weekend so Friday before that weekend was only half day.

More self photos at Catch Me If You Can venue

To maximize my stay, I asked my boss if I could skip Friday since I didn't have anything important to do. He agreed and so I was free to spend it in New York.

I went to New York on my first week in USA but I wasn't able to see the Statue of Liberty and I wanted to see at 1 more broadway show since it may be years since I return to this country.

So after spending the morning in the Statue of Liberty Cruise, we went to Times Square to check if tickets for "How to Succeed in Business" starring Daniel Radcliffe are still available. Unfortunately, it was already sold out. My original next option was Chicago but the seats weren't that good so my Tito wanted to see if we could win tickets to the Book of Mormon where we didn't win.

How To Succeed from Google Images

While waiting for the lottery, we checked out tickets from other shows and since my nephew wasn't really interested in watching any other shows. My Tito gave me the option to see a show by myself. I then decided to see either Catch Me If You Can or Spiderman. Spiderman as it will be spectacular with all the flying around but my nephew says the reviews weren't that great. Catch Me If You Can because of Aaron Tveit and it will be ending that same weekend so seeing it would mean I was one of the last people to catch it. Entirely, both would be risks since my uncle had seen any of them.

So we went to TKTS, a group that gives discounts to broadway plays and musicals to fill up seats in theaters. As expected, there weren't any tickets for "How to succeed in business", it starred Daniel Radcliffe so it was bound to be sold out. So we inquired about Catch Me If You Can and Spiderman. Catch Me If You Can had orchestra seats for less than $10 in Spiderman's Mezzanine Seats. Since my Uncle was paying, I choose the cheaper one so he would pay less.

Catch Me If You Can from Google Images

So I was there in New York Times Square excited about seeing Aaron Tveit in real life doing what he does best, singing in Broadway. Although if possible, I would like to see more broadway shows.

Meet Aaron Tveit

Tripp and Nate from FanPop

Before you even ask, let me tell you who Aaron Tveit is. I first met Aaron in Gossip Girl playing Tripp van der Bilt, Nate Archibald's cousin and one of Serena's boys. His appearance in Gossip Girl made me do google searches on him. I found out he was Fiyero in Wicked in 2008 to 2009. He also played Roger in the Hollywood Bowl version of Rent, where he co-starred with Vanessa Hudgens, Nicole Scherzinger and Telly Leung.

Meet the other stars in Catch Me If You Can

Norbert with the company from google images

Aside from Aaron Tveit, the show also boasted casts like Norbert Leo Butz, who won the 2011 Tony for Best Actor and the original Fiyero from Wicked; Tom Wopat, veteran Broadway actor; and Kerry Butler, from Hair Spray.

About Catch Me If You Can

2002 Movie Poster from google images

The Musical is based on the movie Catch Me If You Can which was shown in 2002 and Frank Abagnale's autobiography. It was about a young boy who conned many institution in order to escape his parent's divorce. He runs cons by pretending to be a pilot and a doctor. In the latter con, he meets Brenda, the love of his life. Only to be caught by Carl Hanratty, a detective who is running after him.

Watching the Show

I was seated on the left side of the theater but in the orchestra side. The sounds of the production was thrown perfectly in my direction so the ending song, Goodbye was (no words could describe its greatness) but more on that later.

The musical was set in the 60's and true to its first song, live in living color, flashy costumes and sets is of different hues, giving you the traditional Broadway performances with (i dunno the term) hops and tricks from dancers as the cast sing and dance to their songs. It didn't have flying or hanging cast members like Priscilla, the Queen of the Dessert and Wicked had. But Aaron was running around the right side of the orchestra.

Favorite Songs

Looking back I decided to name 3 songs as my favorite.

The first one being Doctor's Orders which had the nurses singing about wanting to be treated by doctors. It had a sexy theme and the company sang it with great power while they were strutting moves onstage.

Nurses waiting for doctor's orders from google images

The next one is Fly, Fly Away which was sung by Kerry Butler. It was so heartfelt that even crying while singing a line made it so fit to the scenario. Even the lyrics was in the tune of sobbing. It's great.

Kerry Butler sings Fly, Fly Away from: google images

Lastly, Aaron Tveit ending the show with Goodbye which signifies Frank Jr. getting caught but he wasn't giving up without a fight. Before he gets defeated he declares success by ending the show before it even ends with this song. I would have screamed if I had the energy when I saw that.

Aaron Tveit in living color from google images

Last to see it in Broadway

Live in Living Color from google images

Lucky for me, I was able to catch it before it ended in its Broadway run on September 4, 2011. I saw it on September 2, the last Friday show. The orchestra was full. Good thing I was alone so finding a seat was easy. I was trying to decipher how great was it since I saw it then. I just knew it was great. The cast was phenomenal but it was an acquired taste (because it was set in 60's and the music was pre-rock). After getting to know more elements of the show, I agree with the reviews, It was a "spectacular spectacular!" (From: New York Magazine)

Hello, new template!

2011-08-31T23:46:00.000+08:00

Dear Blog,

I decided to finally upgrade to the new blogger template.

I'll figure something out when I decide to make you more personalized. Site editing is not as easy as HTML anymore.

Anyway, hope you like your new template.

Sincerely,

Thirdy Lopez

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-30T01:06:00.000+08:00

I was unfortunate enough to have my last weekend in my US Trip to experience one of the worst hurricanes to reach East Coast US in years.

Meet Hurricane Irene

She is a hurricane who passed over the East Coast US this weekend.

Weekend? Of all the days... WEEKEND!

Anyway, I was supposed to tour Philadelphia on this Saturday or Washington, DC or New York again but...
Hurricane Irene came and all the plans got scratched. I was able to see Philadelphia at night but the pictures weren't that good so we went back on Saturday Morning but when we finished touring the Franklin Institute. Rain was already pouring and I wasn't able to get pictures at the LOVE park in the morning.

All is good though as we were safe and I got stuff at the bed and bath works store. Even if the store closed when we were still choosing things to buy. The People who worked there weren't rude at us, though.

And when the winds were pretty strong... We were safe inside the house and we hadn't had any power outages.

The next day, Sunday. It was still raining and some roads are flooded so plans for DC didn't follow through. But we were able to see a movie and do a little shopping.

Face it!

2011-08-19T04:31:00.000+08:00

Fail ang 30 day challenge... Tamad ko kasing mag-blog.. Ayan na stuck na ako sa Day 2...

Ang OA pa ng estimates ko!

Onto the next na lang....

60 minutes before uwian! WEEEEEEEEEE!!!

My US Visa Interview

2011-08-08T17:29:00.000+08:00

One lazy morning, my project manager asked me if I could do a particular task. Being the "expert" in the part of our system, I could do the task being asked if given the ample training.

Later that week, I was asked to accomplish all the forms needed for a US Visa Application. I didn't really think much of it until around last month when the project was approved and I finished collecting the requirements.

My Visa interview was scheduled on a Monday, August 1 at 6:30am. Out travel admin asked me to go at the venue at least an hour before but I arrived at the US Embassy at 6:00am. I was really nervous as our company has 100% US VISA approval rate and given my age and my marital status, the probability of being denied was great.

At my arrival, I waited in line for about an hour before entering the US Embassy building. At around 7am, they were scanning my bag for electronic things as they are not allowed inside the building. Then, I was directed to a ticketing booth that gave out numbers. Then, a US Embassy employee asked for people with the numbers and asked to enter the building that issues visa.

Then, we lined up for initial interviews, Then finger printing.

Then, the dreaded interview where the consul will either get your passport and issue you a visa or ask you to leave with a letter of requirement.

The wait was a quite long.

Applicants were there watching other applicants denied or granted a US Visa.

There are 10 consuls that handle the interview. The first 3 handles seafarers and the last 7 handles non-immigrant visa meaning tourist or business.

One of them was this Asian girl who I heard was very strict in granting visas.

I prayed that I don't get her as my interviewer. So time went and the number of an applicant who was chatting me displayed in the asian girl's window. Good luck, buddy!

When it was his turn to be interviewed, my number suddenly displayed at her window. So I positioned myself at a seat in front of her window and watched as my fellow applicant was being grilled with questions. The applicant is an accountant who shall be attending training in Texas for a week. After a number of questions, the asian girl consul gave him a single entry visa for the purpose of his training.

I'm only needing a US Visa for my business trip so I wasn't expecting multiple entry visa or something grand... I just want to maintain the 100% approval rate for US visas of my company.

So when my fellow applicant left his passport to the consul and I walked up to the Asian girl's window for my interview.

Q: Purpose of your trip?
A: Training for blah blah
Q: Do you have family or relatives in the US?
A: Yes. blah blah (malayong kamag-anak po sa malayong lugar to be safe)
Q: Clarification sa Opis na pupuntahan ko sa US
A: (Specific na ito)
Q: How much is your monthly salary?
A: Sinagot ko.
Q: How long have you been working in your company
A: Sinagot ko. (yung before sa aken 2010 siya naemploy pero nagrant naman siya ng visa)
Q: What course did you finish? Where?
A: Sinagot ko.

I was granted a single entry visa for the purpose of my training.

002: Splash Mountain Laguna

2011-05-25T17:49:00.001+08:00

As a kid, my family goes to Laguna weekly but as our family grew, weekly bacame monthly and currently, we go there rarely.

Photo: Map of Laguna from WikiPilipinas

Being a jeep away from the bus stations heading to Laguna, a trip to this place isn't that far from possible.

And One in particular I want to visit is the Splash Mountain Hotel in Laguna. It was referred to me by a swim buddy and it had been in my options to visit for our anniversary last year.

Going there is just a bus ride. Budget: PHP1000 for all the transportation from Makati and back.

Accomodation is a Couple's room at PHP 2,500.00 with an hour of jacuzzi at PHP 350.

Photo: De Luxe Room from Splash Mountain

Things to do:

1. Lunch at Oasis Restaurant. Budget: PHP 1,000.00
2. Swim at their pools, especially the Giant Slide Pool

Photo: Giant Waterslides Pool from Splash Mountain

3. Dinner at Oasis Restaurant. Budget: PHP 1,000.00
4. Breakfast at Oasis Restaurant. Budget: PHP 1,000.00

Photo: Oasis Restaurant from Splash Mountain

This is another relax all day trip.

Estimated Expenses at PHP 6,500.00

001: Tagaytay

2011-05-24T14:45:00.002+08:00

I have been in Tagaytay numerous times and if I own and know how to drive a car. I probably went there more times.

Photo: Tagaytay from Pinoy Lakwatsa

Tagaytay is 2-3 hours commute from Pasay Terminal. You could ride a bus, an FX Taxi or even a jeep (which I won't do).

Transportation Budget: P1000/back and forth Manila and Tagaytay including jeeps and buses to get around the attractions.

Photo: Royal Taal Inn from Google

Accomodation may be in a 3 star hotel or a simple inn. Budget around PHP2.5k to 5k.

Things to do:
1. A visit to Leslie's Restaurant is a must. Budget: P2k for a hefty lunch.

Photo: Leslie's Restaurant Street Sign from Visit Pinas

2. Breakfast/Snack at Mushroom Burger. Budget: PHP 300

Photo: Mushroom Burger from Blog Monster Comments

3. A massage in a Spa. Budget: PHP 1000

Photo: Nurture Spa from the Gloss

4. Take out Dinner. Budget: PHP 2,000

5. Stroll in Picnic Groove. P100

Photo: Picnic Groove from Pinoy Travel Blog

The next Tagaytay trip is full of rests and eating...

Total Over-Estimated Trip: PHP 11,400

OA ang estimate pero better safe than sorry...

1st 100 Day Challenge: 100 places in the Philippines I want to visit

2011-05-24T13:52:00.000+08:00

From Jomar Hilario's website, I chance upon a challenge of creating a blog post detailing anything for 100 days. after n days of consideration, I decided to begin my 100 days today.

My first 100 days challenge is about 100 places in the Philippines I want to visit. Each blog post will contain pictures and probable budget of the trip. Each blogpost may talk about a province, a city, a region, or even a particular restaurant.

Let the 100 day challenge begin!

Group Voucher Deals = Weekend Dates

2011-05-20T11:33:00.000+08:00

I am lucky enough to come across sites that offers group deals. These sites offer discounts on purchases at restaurants, spas and other venues of services when you decided to buy before using a company's service.

First weekend: Repertory Phillipines' Play with Dinner at CIBO Greenbelt

I love watching plays and when Cash Cash Pinoy decided to offer 50% discount at Repertory Philippines' Shakespeare in Hollywood, I bought tickets for two.

Photo: Play Photo

I live in Makati so going to the play's venue was easy. The play was fun, super funny. It was a adaptation of a Midsummer Night's Dream set in early Hollywood. I hope they have a deal when Peter Pan is out.

After watching the play, we were already hungry as it was almost 10pm so we went to CIBO Greenbelt have a great dinner. This time, the voucher we used was from Pakyaw, another group deal site.

It was a hearty meal were we both had pastas and drinks.

We wouldn't normally go to places like CIBO but group deal sites made it possible

Another Weekend: ACE Water Spa

It wasn't our first time in ACE Water Spa but it was nice going back with discounts. It was relaxing to float around the laxy river and be massaged by water. All thanks to Cash Cash Pinoy!

Next Steps

2011-05-18T18:37:00.002+08:00

Almost 2 months ago, I declared a deadline to quit my job and find another one.

But upon reflecting, I decided I don't want another job. Another job is just replacing one "prison" with another "prison". The pay may be great.

Photo: Job Prison

The recent pay increase had made me richer that I have ever been but having an office job prevents me from finding my own path.

So I am aiming to make my current job, my last IT office job. My ideal situation is an 8-5 work at home job that pays around PHP 20k to 30k every month (I live a lavish lifestyle). Before 8am, I would jog/run and after 5pm I would do strength exercises at our condo gym. And possibly have weekday classes on language and other topics

That would be my ideal day. Once a week, I would go out to deal with customers of my real estate endeavours and earn an extra PHP 10k to PHP 100k.

Working all day and Earning a Salary monthly isn't the way of life of the rich in this generation.

So continuing on my current career isn't a good option. It is stupid even.

I haven't been able to create a concrete plan as I have been putting it off numerous times but I have to do something soon. My deadline of its achievement is the beginning of next year...

Wish me Luck!

The first step will be happening on May 28 with my attendance of the VA Seminar by Jomar Hilario.

Photo: Jomar Hilario

Our KL to SG Trip Part 18: SG Rush to Road Home

2011-05-18T18:25:00.000+08:00

So we dropped by our hostel and claimed our baggage and headed to Lavander MRT. We were pressed for time as we only had less than 30 minutes before our bus heading to Malaysia left. On a whim, we ran towards the bus station and arrived 5 minutes before the bus leaves and was the last passengers to board the bus before it travelled to Malaysia.

Lesson: Don't be late in buses. You should be in the station hours before departure like in air plane flights.

On our SG to KL bus trip, we went down the bus twice. The first time to depart Singapore. Where we only needed to bring our passports and the next one to arrive in Malaysia where we brought all of our luggages.

The bus trip lasted 5 hours almost on the dot so we boarded a taxi to KL Sentral worth MYR 20 and hung out at the 24 hour Mc Donald's Branch and left to the airport at 3am. Out flight was 7am and spent most of the waiting time half asleep. The flight was fine and we arrive in Clark in one piece.

We rode the same bus company home and rode a bus to rest on our arrival.

That trip was real fun!

Our KL to SG Trip Part 17: Suntech Fountain of Wealth and Marina Bay Sands Hotel

2011-05-18T18:12:00.000+08:00

From Promanade MRT, we made our way to the SunTech Fountain of Wealth at that time the huge fountain is closed and the small fountain in the middle is open. That fountain is the fountain of wealth. Instructions says that a person had to put his hand in the fountain and go around 3 times to become wealthy so we followed the instructions and hope it pays more.

After which, we headed to a bus station and rode a bus to Marina Bay Sands Hotel. There wasn't much to see since we opted not to go to the Sky Park since it was too expensive and not much to see. So if you are not planning to see Lion King or go up the Sky Park. Skip going to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Riding the right bus takes a lot of time, too.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 16: Little India

2011-05-18T12:40:00.000+08:00

It was our last day in Singapore and we went to explore the temples and malls around our hostel.

First Stop is the Sakaya Mini Buddha Gaya Temple

It houses one of the biggest sitting buddha statues in the world. 2 years ago, taking pictures of the buddha wasn't allowed but times change and we had photo ops with the statue.

Next Stop is the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

It houses intricate designs of the hinduism religion. I had visited this place before so a short photo op sufficed since Jessie wanted to have lunch already.

Next Stop is the City Mall

We had lunch in this fairly new mall. I had Murtabak and Jessie had a Korean Spicy Fish Meal.

Last Stop is Mustafa Centre Mall

This is one of the 24 hour malls in Singapore. It contains pretty much everything. We got new earphones in this mall. It was cheaper there than in music shops in the Philippines.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 15: Night Safari

2011-05-18T12:12:00.001+08:00

From the Ang Mo Kio MRT, we rode a 45 minute bus to Night Safari.

We were kinda in a hurry during this travel but we arrived just in time to catch Jessie's Aunt's Friend who gave us a 50% discount on our tickets. We bought the tickets and was just in time to catch the Creatures of the Night Show. The show featured Nocturnal Animals performing neat tricks. It wasn't my first time in this park but I wanted Jessie to experience what the park had to offer so I added this to our IT.

It was a great show but a hard one to catch on a camera since flash photography may bother the nocturnal animals. After the show, we had the most expensive dinner of our vacation. Each meal was almost SGD20 and with drink, we spent around PHP 3,500. It was worth it, though. The meal was hearty.

We then boarded the Tram where we experienced the first half of the tour. We went down to explore the Leopard Trail but 10 minutes into our exploration and heard a loud roar from a lion and came running back to the tram for the second half of the tour.

At almost midnight, we finished our trip to the Night Safari with photo ops around the place. There were only a few people left so taking pictures was easy. However, it was late at night so our only option was a bus ride to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station and Taxi to our Hostel. Our Transpo back to the City was less than SGD 20.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 14: Sentosa

2011-05-10T11:39:00.002+08:00

On a whim, I urged Jessie to take the board walk so from Vivo City, we used the walkalators to arrive at the waterfront monorail station. It was extremely hot so we took a 5 minute break in the Resorts World Customer Lounge.

Then, proceeded to the Beach Station where we went to Palawan Beach to catch a photo op with a a parrot. Then, we went to the Southern-something mostpart of Asia and I had an earful 'coz I didn't planned swimming in the Sentosa beach since net reviews said it was dirty in which it wasn't so do try to bring swim stuff to Sentosa.

We, then had more photo ops in Siloso beach where we bought tickets for parajumping experience. From Siloso Beach, we walked to the Mega Zip Adventure Tent and did Parajumping...

Para jumping was scary at first but it was fun during the jump. I urge people to try it. In preparation of doing bungee jumping.

We had a small snack and them headed to Ang Mo Kio to go to the Night Safari.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 13: Merlion Hotel

2011-04-29T18:34:00.002+08:00

We started out day having pesos changed to Singapore Dollars to avoid tapping out all our money. Then, we headed to Esplanade Area to see the Merlion Hotel. At the time of our visit, the Singaporean landmark was covered in a temporary structure that serves as a luxury hotel. We fell into line after exploring a different path from Raffles Place MRT to the Merlion Park.

After almost half an hour of waiting under the sun, we got an estimated time of visit and went inside the art exhibit named Merlion Hotel. It was such an experience to be as upclose to the Merlion as possible and to have a feel of how it a stay in the Merlion Hotel would feel. The visit was short but the experience was once in a lifetime.

We then headed to Lau Pa Sat to have our lunch.

The food choice was a lot so choosing what to have for lunch was confusing. I got a Chinese Dimsum soup and Jessie had spicy Ramen.

Afterwhich, we headed to Sentosa.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 12: Indian All you can Eat Vegetarian Restaurant

2011-04-28T16:01:00.000+08:00

After USS, we met with another of Jessie's friends who works as a Piano Teacher. Her name is April and she recommended a place to eat.

I forgot the name of the restaurant. It is located inside a mall in the opposite side of the tourist side of Chinatown.

You can order anything as much as you want and pay any amount in the cashier.

We ordered 3 courses but only 2 courses for me. As a donation, we each gave SGD 10. It will go to a cause in India.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 11: Universal Studios Singapore

2011-04-28T15:49:00.000+08:00

From our hostel in Little India, we headed to Vivo City and rode the Sentosa Monorail to WaterFront station which housed the Universal Studios Singapore. I was really excited for this one.

Before entring the theme park, we had to take token photos with the universal studios sign

I bought the tickets before heading outside the country so we didn't had to queue. I recommend others to do this as well since at weekends, tickets do run out.

First Stop was Hollywood. We found Kung Fu Panda so we had a photo op with him.

Next Stop was Madagascar. We just had a photo with the movie cast since the one ride in this section is for kids.

We then headed to Far Far Away where we dropped by Shrek's House.

Then, rode the Enchanted Airways.

Then, was held captive and was freed in Shrek's 4D Adventure.

Then, we watched Donkey Live.

Before heading to JurassicPark, we had our lunch. We each had Chicken Rice around SGD10 each. There were water fountains in the park so drinks weren't that expensive.

First stop in Jurassic Park was the Canopy Flyer, where we flew around the park.

Then, Dino Soaring where we flew a pterodactyl.

Last was a very long wait to the Rapid Adventure where we got soaked. Really soaked.

Next Stop was Ancient Egypt where we took pictures with the Pyramids behind us. We, then, left our things in a free locker service to feel the wrath of the Revenge of the Mummy twice.

On our way out of Ancient Egypt, we met a few of these weird fellas that had horse feet so we had photos with them.

Next, we headed to the future to Sci-Fi City. Our first ride was the Battlestar Gallactica: Human, which was really thrilling.

After that ride, we rushed back to the Lost World and saw the Water World show. Here, we didn't dare to be soaked again so we seated far from the you'll be soaked zone.

Then, we headed back to the Sci-Fi City where we rode the Battlestar Gallactica: Cyclone and the Accelerator.

On our way to New York, we met some aliens and had photos with them.

At New York, we dropped by Lights, Camera, Action™: Hosted By Steven Spielberg and saw a Hurricane destroy a building right in front of us.

Our Last Stop was in Hollywood , Here we took photos with stars.

Then, we saw a musical concert featuring the movie monsters.

On our way out of the USS, we were serenaded by a boy band, which I swore featured Pinoy members.

It was a fun day, despite being soaked and recruited in both human and cylone armies.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 10: Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Hotel and Glutton's Bay

2011-04-08T16:07:00.002+08:00

From the Chinatown MRT, we came to a MRT Interchange and in the Circle Line, headed to the Esplanade Stop.

Our First Stop was the Esplanade. There isn't really much to see inside the esplanade unless you had booked to see a performance or an exhibit so we just passed by here and took some photos. Jessie's friend, Hattiew toured us around the place and we were led to the library that had CDs and musical pieces.

We, then, headed outside overlooking the marina bay sands hotel for some photos before Hattiew left us since she had to attend her choir's rehearsal.

From Esplanade, we headed to the Merlion which was Merlion Hotel at the moment due to an arts festival. It was alredy 7pm so the Merlion Hotel was already closed. We snapped more photos on our way to the Makansutra Glutton Bay.

We were surrounded with Pinoys at that time. Pinoy yung ka-share ng table.. Pinoy sa harap at likod namen.. andaming Pinoy!

Anyway, we had a sumptuous dinner of stingray, fried rice and choy sum with water chestnut as drinks.

We were exhausted from too much walking so we opted not to stroll in the helix bridge leading to Marina Bay Sands. Wonderfull show was on as we left towards out hostel and called it a night.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 9: Chinatown

2011-04-06T18:38:00.003+08:00

I was already hungry and cranky. While Jessie was overly eager to meet with his Singaporean friend, who he hadn't seen in a while. From the MRT, I headed to a store with any sort of food while Jessie went on to meet his friend.

Photo: Chinatown MRT Map

Jessie's friend is a Singaporean local so she toured us around this part of the city.

Our first stop, the Chinatown Food Street. It is usually open starting 5pm and it was only 3pm so only a few stores were open. We had Char Kwey Teow, each at SGD 3-5 and Water Chestnut juices for around SGD 2 each.

Photo: Me, Jessie and Hattie at Chinatown Food Street

Then, we proceeded to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple which I wasn't able to go to 'coz we went there at 7pm-ish wherein the temple was already closed. The temple had a thousand or more buddhas.

Photo: Buddhas everywhere

at its 3rd floor, they had a museum that talked about buddha. It talked about how buddha becamed the enlightened one and how another buddha is bound to come in the future. At the end of the exhibit, it has idols that embodies kindness. So all those buddhist idols are not Gods but the embodiment of kindness.

Photo: The Next Buddha

Jessie was jumpy at that time so he took pictures of the desriptions to read later. Here they are:

After the temple visit, we had a quick photo op at Sri Mariamman Temple. Then, dropped by a tea shop to get cold drinks since it was really hot that day.

Photo: Sri Mariamman Temple

At around 5pm, we were Marina Bay bound.

Photo: Now, Marina Bay Bound

Our KL to SG Trip Part 8: KL to SG

2011-04-05T18:59:00.002+08:00

We got up around 6am and got ready to leave for the airport. I already packed everything before sleepin so we were ready to leave as soon as we finished taking a bath and getting dressed. Our Hostel land lady got up early at 7am to help us check out.

Photo: Baby Bear before leaving KL

Photo: Baby Toro before leaving KL

As pressed for time, as we were. We got to KL Sentral around 8am and boarded a bus to LCCT to arrive a little before 10am. We had no time to waste. We checked in and deposited out bags which included pasalubong at 23 kilos combined. I got scared since we are nor 3 kilos overweight for our way home but for this flight. It was okay since I got the 30kg limit.

Photo: Brain Freeze due to Bandung Shake

Before boarding, we had breakfast. Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken and Roasted Chicken. With Bandung for drinks. I wasn't able to gobble up the Bandung since we will be boarding within the next 20 minutes.

Photo: Nasi Lemak

Expenses: Around 30RM for the Brunch Meal

We boarded the KL to SG flight and travelled for an hour.

Photo: Air Asia at the background

When we got to SG, I was excited since we landed on Changi Airport Terminal 1. Too bad, the airport was undergoing renovations so the whole Changi experience was incomplete. The line was long so it took us almost an hour to get through immigration. Before leaving the airport, I got some Maps and we proceeded to the Airport MRT station at Terminal 3.

Photo: Welcome to Changi Airport

We purchased EZ Link Cards for transportation at SGD15 and headed to our MRT Stop. The SG Subway was complicated so we had to pass 3 interchanges before getting to our hostel.

I book a room at The Mitraa, the same hostel where Ida and I lounged last 2009 so finding the hostel wasn't a problem. Honestly, nothing changed except for the new paint in Thian Hock Temple.

Photo: Changi Airport MRT

When we arrived, the same Filipino day manager was handling the desk. But the new addition included a Filipino helper, who was extra chatty.

Expenses: around SGD200 for the Hostel Stay or PHP 6,000++ for 3 days and 3 nights

We rested for an hour in our room before heading to Chinatown where Jessie agreed to meet with a Singaporean friend.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 7: Dinner and Shopping at Jalan Alor and Bukit Bintang

2011-04-05T18:38:00.001+08:00

Since we weren't that hungry yet, we window shopped at BB Plaza. It turns out the Malls are all connected since after getting lost, we got out in Sungwei Plaza.

Photo: Green Veggies at Jalan Alor

By 8pm, we were already hungry and we made our way to a restaurant in Jalar Alor. We were cautious this time at ordering 'coz we had too much last time we dined in Jalan Alor.

Photo: Roast Chicken, Duck and Pork

I ordered Roasted Duck with Rice while Jessie had the Chicken with Pork and Rice. Jessie was craving for the brocolli leaves thingie so we got that too...

Photo: Our Hearty Dinner

Expenses for the Meal: Less than 50RM

It was a great meal, where we ended up full.

Before returning to the Hostel to sleep, I wanted to get more pasalubongs so we went back to the Giant Supermarket.

Expenses at the Grocery: Around 15RM

On the way, we bought a dancing donkey for 25RM, which was selling at 50RM from a Sabah local who speaks Tagalog.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 6: Menara KL Tower

2011-04-05T18:27:00.001+08:00

By the time the Matic show ended, it was raining again but so as not to waste time. We boarded the monorail to Raja Chulan and did a short 10 minute walk to Menara KL. When we got there, we rode a free shuttle to the tower's feet.

Photo: Menara KL Tower Entrance

The driver offered us observation deck tickets for 30RM but I wanted to the some of the other activities so we got the 38RM package instead. But since it was raining, many of the attractions were closed and the other attractions weren't that interesting.

My advise is to get 30RM ticket from the driver.

So we, first went to the Observation Deck. You're pretty much covered after travelling a few seconds of 250++ meters of the 4th tallest communication tower in the world.

Photo: Menara KL Tower Observation Deck

At the Deck, you'll have a audio visual guide, which will tell what you are looking at. The binoculars are also free of charge so if you want to look at the "puny humans" down the tower, you won't have to dig out coins.

Photo: Looking below Observation Deck

After 12 windows, we had tourists photos taken and went down for a quick snack.

For Snacks, I had Roti Prata and Jessie had Nasi Lemak.

Photo: Roti Prata

Photo: Nasi Lemak

Before going down, we dropped by the Animal Center and the Complimentary pony ride.

Photo: Surviving the pony ride

I didn't like horses so the ride was a little nerve-racking but I still survived it.

Photo: Menara KL Tourist Photo

We had more tourist photos and boarded the shuttle to the foot of the hill and made our way back to our hostel.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 5: Matic

2011-04-05T18:06:00.004+08:00

We got to Matic after a 10 minute walk.

We then found out the the show will start on 3pm so we an hour or so to kill. But Matic is a great place to relax.

We had Wifi and computer terminal to do some net surfing. There was TV. We, even, had a 3 minute chair massage.

There was an art gallery, too but I wasn't able to visit it since the show was already starting.

Photo: Matic Cultural Show

The show was a cultural dance show featuring traditional dances for Malaysian tribes, as well as the many small communities who settled in the country (Indians, Chinese, Thai).

Photo: Matic Cultural Show

Expenses: 5RM/person for the show fee

Our KL to SG Trip Part 4: KLCC

2011-04-01T19:16:00.004+08:00

For our third day in Kuala Lumpur was all about visiting its landmarks, the Petronas Towers and the Menara KL Tower. I also squeezed in a little cultural show to have a taste of Malaysian culture.

Our first iterinary was visiting the Petronas Twin Towers.

Photo: At Petronas Twin Towers

After having our breakfast, we headed to Bukit Nanas and walked towards the Petronas Twin Towers. We, first, proceeded to the ticket booth since forums had said there will be a long line towards getting a ticket to the Twin Tower's skybridge ans despite being a Tuesday. The line was indeed long and the viewing time would be 1:30pm even if we were already there at 10-11am. so we opted not to get in line since the view from menara KL was better since it was higher, from advices from forum posters. We took our token tourist photos in front of the Petronas Towers and went around KLCC to find if we will be able to buy new clothes. At that time, it was the Malaysian GP Sale so everything was on sale but the question would be, if we'll find something we like so until late 12nn, we were window shopping.

Photo: Race Car

Since we were hungry, we opted to shop another time and head off to Lunch.

By recommendation, we decided to try Nando's. Forum posters said it would be a great visit so we had our lunch there. We were there earlier than lunch so we had a good seat. I ordered the Mild viand and Jessie got the Hot one. It was super spicy so it was helpful we had apple drinks, too.

Photo: Nando's

After lunch, we dropped by cold storage to get ice cream so that we could relieve the spiciness from Nando's. Since it was still too early to go to MaTic, we proceeded to KLCC to have a little nap by the Twin Towers.

Photo: View at KLCC Park

At 2pm, we proceeded to MaTic.

Expenses: 50RM for our lunches; 5RM for our Ice Cream

Our KL to SG Trip Part 3: Swimming at Sunway Lagoon

2011-03-30T18:29:00.006+08:00

Back in 2009, I made it a point to visit Sunway Lagoon. Unfortunately, I made a wrong estimation as going to Sunway Lagoon took more than 30 minutes and spending the day is the only way to actually get the most of the place so for this trip, we had spent the whole day in this park.

We got up at 8:00 am to have breakfast and leave the hostel at around 9:30 am. We made our way to the Kelana Jaya MRT Station and boarded a bus going to Sunway Mall.

Expenses so far: Around 1RM/person

Photo: Sizzling Chicken Rice

Since it was almost 12nn, we decided to eat in the Pyramid Mall instead of inside the park. We went down to the food court and purchased chicken and beef rice in a sizzling plate. Then, got our drinks in a juice stand. Jessie noticed another thing. The name in the Jusco, synonymous to JUSCO or "Juice ko" or my juice was printed in our juice cups.

PHOTO: JUICE KO? Jusco

After eating, we proceeded to the Sunway Lagoon. I pre-bought tickets using the online purchasing function of the Sunway Lagoon website, which also gave us 20% discount. I got two 3 parks ticket, which normally costs 80RM with just 60RM.

Photo: Welcome to Sunway Lagoon!

I also had to pay a wrist band deposit of 10RM/person, which I was able to refund after the day ended.

Animal Park

The three parks ticket was defaulted to the water park, the animal park and the amusement park. Since we just ate, we went around the Animal Park, first. The park consists of attractions featuring a wide array of birds, reptiles, mammals. In the pet area, I was able to hold a Hedgehog. He had hard fur which can feel like needles but wouldn't really wound you. Check out the different animals we were able to interact and see.

Photo: My new friend, Sonic

Water Park

By 2:30pm, we had pretty much covered the animal park and we shed off our going around clothes and left all our other stuff in the paid locker, which was 5RM per opening.

We first swam at some pools in an are the park tagged as Africa. We floated and swam. Then, took lots of pictures. After a while, we decided to try the water rides.

Photo: Waters of Africa

Our first stop was the surf slide. We went more than once since we wanted to have a video of us going down the slide.

We then made our way to that long tube slide with many circles (African Tube Slide with lots of loops) and the really high one (Cameroon Climb). We swam some more in the other pools within that section of the park until we decided to go to the Amusement Park.

Amusement Park

At around 4:30pm, we put back on our strolling clothes, headed to the World of Adventure and rode the pirate's revenge.It looks like Anchor's Away ride in Enchanted Kingdom but it swings at 360 degrees.

Photo: Pirate's Revenge

Another 360 degrees ride is the tomahawk which is lighter than the pirates revenge Ride and the belts are much more loose, I really felt going upside down as we made 360 degrees turns.

Since the other rides weren't as adult-friendly, we went to the other amusement park tagged as the wild wild west. It was generally full of kiddie rides but has a number of adult rides wherein you would end up wet. We rode the Niagara Falls Flume Ride, Colorado Splash, and the Grand Canyon River Rapids.Which was similar to rides in Enchanted Kingdom and Star City where you end up wet.

Photo: Grand Canyon River Rapids

After riding wet rides in Wild Wild West, we made our way to the longest pedestrian bridge where we found people bungy jumping. Thr Bungy jump costs 130RM, which was out of our budget. (so I am envious at those who did bungy jumps)

Photo: The "Longest" Hanging Bridge

After crossing that "longest" pedestrian bridge, we made our way to the wave pool and swam our last hour.

Photo: Presents Sunway Lagoon

At 6pm, Sunway Lagoon closes. everyone is asked to leave the pool and head out of the park. We took some last shots and changed into our going home clothes.

Photo: At the Pool Area Display

We rode a bus back to the city but the fare is more expensive by another ringgit so the fare is RM2/person since the way back is a longer ride.

Back to our hostel

Before going back to the hostel, we took a detour to pasar seni so I could buy souvenir ref magnet which costs 10RM for 2 pieces.

Photo: At Pasar Seni

Since the hawker center was already closed since it was almost 9:30pm, we dined at a nearby Indian restaurant before heading back to the hostel.

Our KL to SG Trip Part 2: Dinner at Jalan Alor

2011-03-30T18:16:00.001+08:00

It was still raining hard and I urged Jessie to get up and walk in the rain with our umbrellas. After half an hour of bugging. We finally went out for dinner.

Our hostel is just a 5 minute walk to Jalan Alor so it wasn't that hard to find a place to eat. We looked for a place that doesn't have wet tables and chairs and chanced upon one restaurant where the waiter and waitresses was overly eager to get us seated and get our orders.

After 5 minutes of deciphering the menu, we ordered the following:

Kung Pao Chicken

Seafood Fried Rice

Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce

Tom Soup

Watermelon Shake for me

Coke for Jessie

Yes, obviously, we were hungry but what we ordered turned out to be a lot!

Expenses: 55.50RM for Dinner or PhP 850 (not that bad for a dinner out)

We were super full as we headed back get a durian pack and walk around Bukit Bintang, as the rain had already stopped.

Photo: Buying Pasalubong at the Giant Supermarket.

We went back out to buy pasalubong at the Giant Supermarket. We got Koko Jelly to give to everyone.

Expenses: 90++ MYR for pasalubong and our own coffee and tea

Photo: When we saw this, Jessie couldn't stop laughing.

Photo: Some Korean/Taiwanese Actors...

We don't know who they are but snap a shot since they maybe famous

Our KL to SG Trip Part 1: Voyage from Manila to Kuala Lumpur

2011-03-29T18:29:00.002+08:00

Around May 2010, I found a sale in Air Asia that sold tickets from Clark to Kuala Lumpur at a bargain price of P2k++/person. I immediately grabbed the opportunity to get cheap tickets and planned to accomplish my promise to return to Malaysia and Singapore.

It was a long wait until the trip actually came to existence. There was even some close calls of the trip not pushing through. First, there was the lack of budget which was solved when I got my perfomance bonus just 2 weeks before the trip. Then, there was the my leaves pending approval when my project ended a month before the trip and the new project I was transferred in, didn't require my expertise a lot so my leave with my new boss was easily approved.

The trip begins

On Saturday night, I rushed to our QC house as I needed to get the other luggage from my dad who just arrived from Baguio. The commute was long, as usual so I had my dinner at our house before packing all our things at around 10pm. The trip was early Sunday at around 5am since we needed to be at the Pasay Terminal by 6:30am. We arrived in time and had extra time to eat breakfast for 15 mins. The travel was fast, but I really didn't notice as I spent most of the trip sleeping.

Photo: Me at the Philtranco Bus

Expenses so far: Taxi: Php60, Breakfast: Php120, Bus Fare: Php 700

We arrived at a great time. After we withdrew money from a RCBC ATM at DMIA (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport). We entered the terminal to exchange money from Pesos to Malaysian Ringgit and Singaporean Dollars. By the way, I advise you to change money at our airports, as money changers in other countries has a greater exchange rate.

Expenses so far: Withdrawal Fee for other banks: Php11 multiplied by 5 transactions.

We then paid Travel Taxes and used the self-check-in terminals of Air Asia. By the way, these terminals chose seats at random so if you arrived early, it will sit you together otherwise you will be in different parts of the plane. At this time, we were lucky enough to get a window seat and seats that are beside each other. Of course, I get the window seat. Anyway, we checked in our bags that weighed 16kgs at that time. Then, paid the terminal fee. We then passed immigration and one more security check and awaited our flight in the departure lounge where we had snacks.

Photo: DMIA Pre-departure area

Expenses so far: Travel Tax: Php 1320/person, Terminal Fee: P600/person Snacks: P300 Load: P300

At 10:45am, we boarded the Air Asia Plane which was covered in Bank Rakyat advertising and almost slept through the whole 3 hour flight. We had our pre-booked meals and tea, which we thought was part of the meal we got but wasn't.

Photo: Me before boarding the plane

Expenses so far: 10RM for our teas

We arrived a minute after our planned arrival at around 3pm. We went through the usual process of immigration and headed out the Sky bus terminal when we realized we forgot to claim our luggage. Lucky enough, the LCCT security wasn't that strict so after explaining our case, we got in the baggage claim section and got our luggage. We, then, boarded the Sky bus and slept another hour and 15 minutes as we made our way to the KL Sentral.

Expenses so far: 9RM/person for the sky bus fare.

From KL Sentral, we dropped by a convenient store where Jessie found a picture worthy cake.

Photo: Pasalubong para kay Mommy

Expenses so far: less than 10RM for our snacks

Then, we made our way to the monorail, which is on the other side of the street of KL Sentral. since some tourists were taking their picture in front of the monorail. I did the same. Naki-gaya na din!

Photo: A tourist in the Monorail

Expenses so far: less than 5RM for our Tickets

From the monorail, we alighted at Bukit Bintang where our hostel is nearby. At that time, it was already raining so we had to bring out our umbrellas as we navigated using the directions from the email from HostelWorld. We mistakenly entered the wrong hotel since our hostel ended up just beside the hotel we entered.

Photo: Maraming ads ang kamukha nito!

Upon entering the hostel, we were greeted by another guest who looked like some sort of yogi and told us to look for the woman with no hair. Wow, freaky but as it turns out she just had a boy cut. The woman was the owner of the hostel and her name is Suzy. She told us the rules of the hostel and checked us in the room of happiness.

Photo: Our room is the happiness room

For an hour or so, Jessie opted to be a facebook addict and while we were waiting for the rain stop.

Photo: Jessie was facebook-ing

Expenses so far: 189RM for the Hostel Stay and 10RM for the key deposit