BGC CYCLE PHILIPPINES JOINS CYCLE ASIA

Press Release

MANILA, PHILIPPINES 25 July 2013 – Filipino riders gear up for three days of thrilling bike
action as Cycle Asia, in partnership with Sunrise Events and Bonifacio Global City (BGC),
launches BGC Cycle Philippines from November 15-17 inside the BGC in Taguig City.
BGC Cycle Philippines is the latest addition to the 2013 calendar of Cycle Asia, a network of
premier cycling events across the region that offers participants the rare opportunity to ride on
safe closed public roads in major Asian cities.

The event will cater to cyclists of all ages and abilities with The Tricycle Ride, The Kids’ Ride,
The Community Ride (20km), The Challenge (40km) and various Criterium categories.
The entire family will also be kept entertained throughout the three-day event with a wide range
of fun activities in the Cycling & Lifestyle Expo.

"Cycling continues to enjoy strong growth in the Philippines and we are naturally thrilled to
introduce the event at Bonifacio Global City," said Manny Blas II, head of Commercial
Operations, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. during the event’s launch at the Seda Hotel at
BGC.

"While the unique venue will certainly offer local cyclists a fantastic riding experience, we also
look forward to hosting visitors from around the region as they enjoy the unique thrill of
participating in the very first BGC Cycle Philippines,” added Blas.

Registration activities start on August 1 via online registration and a Cobra Ironman Launch
Special where participants in this premier triathlon event are given special registration rates. All participants, upon registration will receive premium items from event sponsors which include
Rudy Project shades, official cycle wear from F2P and technical tees from Felt Bikes as part of
their registration inclusions.

Cycle Asia, owned and organized by Spectrum Worldwide, has already played host to two
hugely successful events this year with OCBC Cycle Malaysia and OCBC Cycle Singapore,
attracting over 5,000 and 11,500 participants, respectively.

The Gold Coast Festival of Cycling will also be featured on the 2013 Cycle Asia calendar with
the event slated from Sept. 27-29.

“We are delighted to be expanding Cycle Asia to the Philippines and we look forward to working
alongside Sunrise Events who have built an outstanding reputation for delivering first-class
sporting events,” said Chris Robb, managing director, Spectrum Worldwide.

Aside from cycling action in BGC Cycle Philippines, Bonifacio Global City will offer a wide range
of activities for tourists to take advantage of during their stay. The district is well known for its
open-air lifestyle retail and dining concept and public art program, as well as a world-class
science museum and parks.

The BGC Cycle Philippines will have as its beneficiary the Firefly Brigade whose advocacy is to
actively promote the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation.

With Bonifacio Global City (BGC) as the title sponsor, Fox International Channel as copresentor
and with the valuable support of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA),
BGC Cycle Philippines has attracted a number of additional sponsors: Gatorade (Hydration
Partner), Seda Hotel (Official Residence) and others including Rudy Project, F2P and Felt
Bikes. Philippine Star is the event’s media partner.

For more information, check out the BGC Cycle Philippines official website,
www.cyclephilippines.com.ph.

My Manila International Book Fair experience

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.

Manila International Book Fair

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.