A cool panoramic 3D view of Cory Aquino's funeral

3D VR Panoramic shot of the Aquino funeral cortege as it passes Quirino Station

click here

Ninoy's letter to His Eldest Daughter in 1973

Forwarded by a brod to me...A sample of Ninoy Aquino's writing. A letter addressed to his eldest daughter Ballsy.

August 18, 1973

FortBonifacio
Makati, Rizal

Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino
25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,

I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to be with you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am no longer young and suddenly, I feel old.
An old poet gave this advice very long ago “when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December.” I want to send you bouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in fact they have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you a thicket of thorns on this memorable day!

I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible, even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like your mother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be the life vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in FortMagsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else to do but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlac for your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. I planned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.

The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion , where lunch will be served by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the Santa Rita Elementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children of that public school where you were first enrolled.

I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days of happy memories little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love.. You are the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections.

From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entire cow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.

Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later a picnic-lunch on Uncle Tony’s Island . Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the many dreams I had in Laur.
Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I’ll ever be able to return to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors.

Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she is your sincerest friend.

Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them but am unable to do so.

Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all.

You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to our highest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable to Krissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.

Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office. I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.

I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I will finally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.

I love you,

Dad

Toilet in the park

Found this Fancy toilet while walking in a park in sydney. Didn't check if there was tissue paper

Go Negosyo Book Launch: 21 Steps on How to Start Your Own Business

Book Launch

"21Steps on How to Start Your Own Business "

JULY 22, 2009 6:00 PM
and booksigning with Go Negosyo mentors and entrepreneurs

National Bookstore Archaeology Wing Powerplant Mall, Rockwell

Attire: casual Please wear your GoNegosyo shirt.
PROGRAM FLOW

Message by Joey Concepcion

Interview with Authors: Dean Pax Lapid and Ping Sotto

Talk/short message by Go Negosyo trustees and partners

Interview with Entreps mentioned in book, those who gave testimonials, VIPs, Sponsors, Go Negosyo team, etc.

Booksigning with Go Neg mentors and entreps

Unveiling of Go Negosyo Angelpreneurs + Photo Op

Cocktails & mingling


To ask for more details, Contact:
Myra Dorothy S. Lorredo
Programs Development ManagerPhilippine Center for Entrepreneurship
02 637 9347 0917 885 8052Fax: 02 6377873

Pisay the Movie!

Pisay the movie will have special screenings at the CCP. Please see the sked below.

I recommend this movie for the wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends, parents, etc... of all Pisay alumni. It might help you understand their neuroses.

PISAY by Auraeus Solito (Cinemalaya 2007)
19 July/Sun, 10:00AM at CCP Silangan Hall
25 July/Sat, 12:45PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

No DVD's of this movie yet so better go for it now.

Mommy Thai Returns!

Click to read a related article from "Ivan About Town"

I didn't visit UP regularly at one time. But once, I visited a joint which was recommended by a friend. It was along Katipunan avenue in front of Balara. A small shack and I didn't remember any sign announcing its name.

Once inside, I saw an old lady wearing a "daster". Just like my lola's :) It seemed like an ordinary place until you notice that the old lady was reading a Thai magazine! Talk about subtle advertising. It convinced me that this was the real thing!

Anyway I ordered the "mixed" stuff which must have been worth 75 pesos only back then. I enjoyed it!

But my visits to UP were rare and I never got to see the place again. It's great to hear that she's back!

Shared via AddThis

Maxim Comedy Night - Maxim Philippines June 13 2009

Maxim Hot Comedy Night

Laughs, Ladies, and Lingerie

Host:	MAXIM Philippines
Type:	Party - Bar Night
Network:	Philippines

Date:	Saturday, June 13, 2009
Time:	9:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	Fiamma
Street:	Jupiter Street

Description

Join us on Saturday, June 13 at Fiamma bar, Makati for a night of laughs, lovely ladies, and lingerie.

The luscious--not to mention red-hot--Daiana Menezes is celebrating her birthday and Maxim Philippines is throwing her a party. The first 100 Maxim Philippines readers with a copy of the June issue (which will also be available at the venue) can get their magazines autographed by our lovely cover girl.

Plus, there will be a lingerie fashion show with hot babes showing off the latest in women's, uhm, "clothing." (And if some ladies show up in lingerie to the party, we won't be objecting.)

Hope to see you there!

Second Handers

One of my all time favorite fiction novels is "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. I must have read this book four times! I even saw the movie starring Gary Cooper.

The story talks about an architect called Howard Roark. An architect who refused to follow what the crowd wanted. Choosing instead to make designs that fit the personality of his clients and the function of the structures being ordered from him. Although his clients loved his work and appreciated his genius, he incurred the ire of the general public ("who does he think he is? Better than the rest of us?").

In contrast, there was the publisher Gail Wynand. He was rich and famous. He provided what the crowd (what is also called the "mob") wanted: gossip and sex. He exploited the baser instincts of people to sell more newspapers. It was never about "truth" or making a contribution to humanity. Who wants to read that anyway? He gives the public what it wants.

Ayn Rand calls people like Gail Wynand "second handers"...because they were never the prime movers of mankind.

I'd like to relate this to the emerging candidates for presidency of the Philippines in 2010...who are the "prime movers" and the "second handers"? Is it the one who let's you hear what you want to hear? Or plays to the applause of the crowd?

...Or is it the one who has proven, time and again, that he will defy the "popular" will to do what is right?

Among all the candidates for 2010, it is only Bayani Fernando who has proven that he will not let himself be swayed by demonstrations of "false compassion". Beyond doing what is necessary to clear the streets and impose discipline in Metro Manila, he has created a transformation that was unthinkable ten years ago: that it was possible to impose the rule of law in Metro Manila to protect the rights of many.

A victory for Bayani Fernando in 2010 will show that the FIlipinos are ready to be governed the right way. Let's not wait for another 6 years...please.

Jay Araullo

A case for Bayani Fernando

From Ms. Solita Monsod's column in the inquirer today, June 6.

Get Real
Fernando’s out-of-sight aces

By Solita Collas-Monsod
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:12:00 06/06/2009

I don’t blame MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando for being pissed at his party for seemingly excluding him, a loyal party member, from its list of “presidentiables.” Surely, however, he should have known better than to expect that it would act any differently, given its past record.

Not that Lakas/Kampi is worse than the other parties, whose “presidentiables” seem to have been self-chosen, or at least limited to those who can get the financial wherewithal to run a campaign, no matter their lousy or nonexistent track record (including corrupt tendencies). A good track record (as opposed to campaign promises) would be a bonus, but certainly not a condition precedent, as it were, for being the party’s standard-bearer. Of course, one has to use the term “political party” loosely, since our politicians are prone to party-hopping.

But does Bayani Fernando deserve serious consideration as a “presidentiable”? Very definitely. Because where others talk a good talk, Fernando has actually walked a good walk. His track record in terms of delivering public goods to the people, as well as reducing corruption in his area of responsibility, is arguably unmatched.

If one holds no track with statistics, one only has to visit Marikina, Fernando’s bailiwick. The difference between that city and the rest of the cities of Metro Manila is obvious to even the most casual observer—one would hardly believe one is in the Philippines.

The first thing you notice is that there are no squatters. And that is because the squatters have been relocated to—get this—relocation settlements within the city, where they have security of tenure as well as humane living conditions. One can only guess that in the face-off with squatter-lords (reportedly members of the police or the military of small-time politicians, who hold sway in other Metro Manila cities), the latter were the first to blink, and could not bribe their way into keeping their squatter housing.

The second thing you notice is the Marikina river—cleared of squatter housing, the 220 hectares it covers transformed into a sports and recreational park, with citizens taking the air at night—literally—because there is no smell emanating from it. When this project was first begun, cynics said it could not be done. Fernando did it.

And how about the pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, free of vendors who are now housed in the public market (so no unfair advantage), which is recognized by international and local health agencies as the healthiest in the country?

Or the network of bicycle lanes (56 kilometers), the only one of its kind in the Philippines, that allow people to bike to school or work? Or public parks, and the results of an aggressive greening program?

And that’s just what one sees. What is not so visible, but is felt by the citizens of Marikina, is how well the city is run: a 99-percent garbage collection efficiency rate (lower per capita costs than in other cities); a 95-percent tax collection efficiency rate—its citizens are willing to pay their taxes, because they see where their money goes; an excellent public school and health system; an engineering department capable of undertaking most of the city’s infrastructure projects by local administration (transparent, too); a central warehousing system that saves time and money; an almost 20-fold increase in revenues since 1992 ( in that period, prices have increased at most five-fold); a quick-response system for emergency assistance to citizens, whether police, fire, or medical, anywhere in Marikina (average response time is 4-8 minutes), with a handbook given to all households, providing essential information about services and transactions, including time frames within which to expect action, and hot lines to call if these are exceeded.

Bottom line: the city has won eight “Galing-Pook” Awards since 1992 for all its improvements, plus numerous other awards. Wouldn’t the average Filipino want to live and work in those surroundings?

But that isn’t all. Pressed into service as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (he must hold the record for being the most short-lived public works secretary—he refused to play ball, and legislators asked for his relief), he has a record of solid accomplishments there as well: reduced travel times along the major arteries—and I can attest to that, because it now takes me 30 minutes to travel from Makati to UP, when it used to take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour; reduced flooding—he has caused the installation of additional pumping stations, plus regular maintenance of esteros (creeks), riverbanks removal of sidewalk obstructions; door-to-door collection in about 75 percent of barangays (villages) so that streets and waterways are kept clean. Things that Metro Manilans have gotten used to, and now expect as a matter of course, hardly remembering when things were very much worse.

To repeat: Solid accomplishments, which, were he chief executive, could be translated into an improved government bureaucracy and efficient national projects and services. And he has one more asset: a no-nonsense wife who took over as mayor, and has not only continued, but improved his accomplishment record. Two for the price of one.

But, alas, even as Fernando is under his party’s radar screen, he also seems to be under the radar as far as the voters are concerned, with less than half of 1 percent of them saying that they would vote for him. Thus, even as we hold the political parties in contempt, we behave in the same way they do. Truly, we get the government we deserve.

Transformational Leadership

Link to Team Bayani homepage

Two days ago I had the fortune of being invited to a small breakfast meeting with MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) Chairman Bayani Fernando. I came into that breakfast meeting as a “sold man”. I went out determined to help spread the word about his leadership.

I grew up two towns away from Marikina and the difference is just startling.

How can this city change its image from the “rape and akyat bahay” capital of Metro Manila to what is now generally considered to be its model city in just 15 years?

My cousin had a store in Marikina that we used to visit 20 years ago. It was just messy. Mud everywhere. It was stinky. Garbage everywhere. Parking was a mess. Vendors selling where people needed to walk. Don’t even get me started on the toilets! No one really complained. It was pretty much the situation everywhere in the Philippines!

If you guys used to pass by Cloverleaf market (named for the interchange at Balintawak), you’ll know what I mean: 6 lane south bound at EDSA was effectively reduced to 2 because parked cars and illegal vendors took up all the space! No one seemed to care…people needed to make a living right?

Anyway, I had a Singaporean boss 8 years ago and his family used to drive around Metro Manila. Of all the cities, Marikina impressed him the most. It was clean and it was spacious. He liked what he saw and told me that it was indeed possible to change a city in that way. This was only a few years after Bayani Fernando’s first term as mayor started.

Marikina’s state then reflected the condition the rest of the nation: it was “sick”. But in a few short years, it became Metro Manila’s poster boy. The same people who resisted the changes are now the same people who are proud of what their city has become.

Many call the Philippines the “sick man of Asia”. We Filipinos are sick and tired of that nickname. We all know we deserve better than that. We want to be transformed into the “best country” in Asia.

With all these politicians parading in front of us (leading up to the elections 11 months from now), ask yourself: who among them can show transformational leadership? Who among them has actually transformed people the most?

…I ask you to examine all of them carefully. Let’s take the one who has PROVEN his capacity to lead people to change themselves.


Jay Araullo
Twitter ID: taytaybulls

Countdown to 2010: An ANC Leadership Forum”

I hope ANC won't mind :) ...

Round 2. Live telecast on ANC on June 5 at 7PM.

Replay:
June 6. 6PM. Saturday. Studio 23.
June 7. 10:15 PM. Sunday. Channel 2. ABS-CBN

THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT HAS BEGUN ON ANC

ROUND ONE

Escudero vs. Gordon vs. Panlilio vs. Roxas vs. Teodoro

Five presidential aspirants gathered for the first time to prove they have what it takes to hold the highest position in the land.

Here's what they said
at the “Countdown to 2010: An ANC Leadership Forum”
last May 11 at the Ateneo De Manila University.

Francis Joseph “Chiz” Guevara Escudero
Age: 39
Birth Date: October 10, 1969
Vision of Governance: The next leader should be an effective change agent. He or she must follow and enforce the law. Can he or she also inspire us?

On President Arroyo’s positive contribution to the country. “Dahil sa ilang pag-aabuso sa batas, dahil sa ilang paglabag sa batas, dahil sa ipinagkait sa marami sa ating mga kababayan at hirap na dinaranas ng ating mga kababayan...minulat at ginising niya at marahil sa ilang parte ginalit niya ang maraming Pilipino para seryosohin ang kanilang pagpili ng susunod na pinuno natin.”

On the last movie he has seen. “You watch a movie not to feel depressed, you watch a movie to be inspired and to be encouraged. Kung kaya, ang huli kong pelikulang pinanood ay ‘Kasal, Kasali at Kasalo’ nina Juday at Ryan.”

On the 2010 national elections."Inaangkin na namin ang halalan na ito. Inaangkin na namin ang pamahalaang ito. Di na naming hahayaang maging sunod-sunuran na lang kami dahil ang aming paniniwala sa ngayon, ang kabataan hindi lamang pag-asa ng bayan, ang kabataan dapat maasahan na ng bayan.”


Richard “Dick” Juico Gordon
Age: 63
Birth Date: August 5, 1945
Vision of Governance: What this country needs is not a change of men but a change in men.

On President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Masinop mag-aral, may work ethic. Ang sabit niya ay sa governance…You have to be resolute in so far as your leadership is concerned. That I think is something na nagkulang siya.”

On how he will make a difference as a president. “Baguhin ang attitude. Aim high. Mag-ambisyon tayo. Bawal ang tamad—work ethic. Lalong bawal ang tanga—mag-aral tayo. Duty muna bago ang sarili. Dignidad at determinasyon—ginawa namin sa Subic iyon.”

On why he admires his father former mayor James L. Gordon. “He was a man born an American, but elected to be a Filipino… Pardon me if I’m getting emotional because sa tingin ko maraming hero sa mundo but you have to live your heroism not during your death but during your whole life. Sapagkat iyon ang nakita ko (sa kaniya).”


Eddie “Among Ed” Tongol Panlilio
Age: 55
Birth Date: December 6, 1953
Vision of Governance: Stand up against bad governance, social ills of jueteng and quarrying abuses.

On the factors that will make him run for national office. “If the people would like me to run, feel, believe that I should run for the presidency or for the vice presidency, kung tutulungan ako, then I might go for it.”

On his “unpleasant” relationship with Pampanga politicians.
“Well, I would say that, also many like me...I believe deep in my heart, it is the people who espouse bad politics who hate me. Remember, I was able to curb…at least to minimize corrupt practices in my sphere of influence.”

On his stand on the issue of family planning. “I believe we should address this in a spirit of dialogue, and I don’t believe we have dialogue that much…This issue is connected with poverty, with lack of education, so we might be negotiating and debating up there but the underlying causes are not addressed. So I believe these should be addressed first.”


Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II
Age: 51
Birth Date: May 13, 1957
Memorable Quote: Do I want change for our country? The answer is yes. Do I think I can do a better job? The answer is yes.

On the state of the country today. “Our nation today is on a platform or a foundation of sand. Hindi tayo nakapatong sa matibay na bato ng moralidad at katarungan. Kaya kahit anong pera na gastusin natin sa budget nitong taon na ito…kahit anong pagsisikap ng ating mga kababayan, hindi pa rin tayo makabuo, wala pa rin tayong napapala, o di kaya naman, hindi tayo umuusad.”

On the issue saying he’s just using Korina Sanchez. “Mahal ko si Korina. Matagal kaming nagsama—limang taon. Nagkakaintindihan kami, may pangarap kami para sa isa’t-isa at matibay an gaming samahan. Tulad ng sinabi mo, mga kritiko ko ang nagsasabi noon. So, inggit lang sila.”

On the global financial crisis. “Ang bawat bansa ay pinoproteksiyonan ang kanilang bawat interest. Iyan din ang dahil kung bakit noong ako ay nasa DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) ay hindi ako sumang-ayon na matuloy itong Doha Globalization Round. Bumoto ako na itigil ito dahil pinagsasamantalahan tayo. At iyan naman ang aking track record. Sa bawat pagkakataon na maaaring manindigan, doon ako parati kampi sa api.”


Gilberto “Gibo” Cojuangco Teodoro Jr.
Age: 44
Birth Date: June 14, 1964
Vision of Governance: The Philippines must be a stable platform of investment, with strong institutions, peace and order, and the efficient delivery of basic goods.

On the “Cojuangco” factor. “Kung may sense po at nasa batas at nasa lugar ang kanilang (Cojuangco relatives) mga suhestiyon sino ba namang tututol. Pero kung hindi po nasa lugar, kaya naman po nating tutulan iyan at napatunayan na po natin iyan.”

On amending the Philippine Constitution. “Ang aking pananaw, hindi lang kailangan ng values or renewal of values or pananaw. Institutions shape behavior. It motivates behavior. And I think our institutions, time and again, people have said they need to be changed.”

On being associated with an “unpopular” president. “Hindi ako takot maging John McCain. Dito ako naninindigan, dito ako naninilbihan… Hindi naman ako isang tao na maninilbihan—sumisilong sa isang bahay—na ikinahihiya ko ang bahay na tinitirahan ko. Hindi ako ganoong klase ng tao… no matter what one says for or against any other administration, history will be the judge.”

AND THE SEARCH CONTINUES...

ROUND TWO

The Amba...a great black friday tradition

My family never went out of town during Black Friday unlike most of my friends from school. So every year, I got to see the "penitensya"(penitence) in the morning and the "prusisyon"(procession) in the early evening to re-enace the death and burial of christ.

The "amba" (no english translation that i know of) is like the christ's coffin. I've seen it being carried for many years. It's the main event of the evening's procession. Many barefoot devotees (probably 500) help pull the coffin using ropes. For several times in the past, I have seen some devotees get crushed while doing this. The coffin isn't really heavy (i once saw it being cheerfully pushed by 10 men). But the all the people pulling from all directions make it difficult to control. I'm not complaining though.

This tradition is very important for our town and will probably be done the same way.

It’s always a groundhog day!

2009 HK Marathon Report

with 3 comments

Ed Note: This is a guest post from Jerome Araullo on groundhog dude's blog. He ran his first ever full marathon in Hongkong last Feb 8, 2009.

HOW I SURIVED THE 2009 STANDARD CHARTERED HONGKONG MARATHON

I believe that my last weeks’ adventure is worthy of being recorded in the annals of the internet because of two things : One, I wont have to retell the story over and over again to friends and relatives, and Second, when I can no longer run, ride a bike, or swim, this blog can help me recollect.

I never had my own blog

Perhaps I feel that there are just too many blogs out there in the net and I don’t want to bore people with some personal anecdotes to death. Thanks to D’ Great Groundhog Dude for lending me some airtime thru his well read sports memoir.

So here it is. Let me tell you about my exploits in Hong Kong. How I survived it and the 2009 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon… Alone.

PRE-RACE
I arrived in Hong Kong February 5, 2009 in the morning. I had exactly three days before The D-Day… My first 42.26 kilometer run… a full marathon… The 2009 Standard Chartered International Marathon in Hong Kong.

My first day was my busiest. After arriving at Hongkong’s Central station, I proceeded to Wanchai at the Hong Kong side and checked-in my things with my wife’s best buddy Rita (who sings for a band at the Bulldogs bar in Tsim Sha Tsui).

I had to scrap my original itinerary for the afternoon and opted to spend the remaining hours of my first day in Macau.

February 6, 2009 – Friday
Overslept! Woke up at 730am. Today is REGISTRATION DAY for overseas runners!

After taking a shower, I got my back pack and ate at a nearby noodle shop. With my trusty ole map, I proceeded to Causeway Bay to register.

Volunteers from Standard Chartered Bank were still setting up at the Victoria Park when I arrived. I was asked to return at 12noon. There was already a short line in the overseas runners registration area when I came back.

The registrants were mostly expats, and some newbies from all over who traveled to HK just to run their marathon. Boy was I happy to see Kababayan runners. Mga tiga Cebu si Leszl Lumindas Gitaruelas, Mendel Lopes, and Brandon Bon who is a fitness first instructor in Cebu. They were all running the half marathon.

Later on, two Pinoy couples arrived Cris Litton and a friend. They were going to run the full marathon also and will write about the experience for Nike.

Moments later, the Kenyan delegation arrived. Some runners had their picture taken with them.

Registration fee was in cash only for late registrants like us: 440HKD or the USD equivalent. They also collected a 100HKD deposit for the timing chip.

The RACE KIT consisted of the following goodies:
1 Runner guide
1 jersey
1 Baggage collection bag
1 tote bag
1 sticker
1 bank promotional material
1 Finishers Medal – Yes, Kahit hindi mo matapos may medal ka na! Wooohooo! Bale wala ng photo op with the medal sa finish line.

February 7, 2009 – Saturday
Woke up at 530am.

Got out at around 6am and searched for a new noodle house for carbo loading. Reconned starting line and designated baggage drop off area. As I was walking along Nathan road guess who I saw? Two of the Ethiopian runners running! Wala bang taper taper para sa mga ito?

My biggest mistake for the day was I still pushed through with my IT to do some sight seeing and shopping. “Hey! It was my first time in Hong Kong!”

Sham Shui Po  Prince Edward  The Peak  Central  Avenue of the Stars (Lights show) in Tsim Sha Tsui  and Nathan road!!!

LESSON FOR THE DAY – Next time plan where you will have your carbo loading.
• Never assume that their Mcdo and KFCs in HK serve spaghetti.
• Never assume the Spaghetti House serve cheap spaghetti.
• Resist the urge to shop or tour HK before race day.
• Next time get a room with a TV

11:00pm Back at the tenement, I prepared the following stuffs for My Marathon:
• New Balance Singlet
• Running tights (shorts)
• Fuel Belt with 2 flasks only (with Pokari Sweat)
• 10- Gus (1 of them Roctane)
• 1 cellphone (a must)
• photocopy of my passport (mahirap na baka madeport)
• 1 small bottle of Omega pain killer
• 1 running socks NB
• My Asics running shoe with the 100HKD timing chip

FEBRUARY 8, 2009 – RACE DAY
330AM – All 3 alarm clocks go off!  I did some brief stretching on the bed (hmmmm) and left the tenement to go to the starting line.

I had a bowl of macaroni soup and cup of coffee at nearby Mcdo Peking road.

The starting line for the Marathon and the half marathon was at Nathan road near the Mira hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. The full Marathon was scheduled to start at 8am.

I spent the next 3 hours stretching, hydrating, and eating. The nearest Adidas shop along Peking road opened early, and the staff members were sticking Adidas post-its on runners backs which had different messages on it.

I met a kindhearted HK-based Kababayan named Pixie Ferrer, who realized my predicament as a lone tourist and runner. I explained my problem and she agreed to shoot my pics at the starting line and email them to me after the race. Her hubby was running the 21K. (Thanks again Pixie!)

The 21 K runners were warming up at the back-end of the road. The elite marathoners, warmed-up business class style. They had a block in Granville road cordoned just for them for warm up.

Honestly, if someone would ask me where I encountered the proverbial “Wall”, I would definitely say it was at Kilometer ZERO. I was a constant visitor of the portalets which were lined-up along Haiphong street. I went to the portalet more than 10 times and even threw up a couple of times due to pre-race anxiety. I was simply scared s@#$less! (note: the portalets here smelled horrible also!)

A few minutes before 8am, the runners were called to go to the starting line. The elite runners – the Kenyans, Japanese, Singaporeans, including our very own Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista….. were all in front… ready to leave us their trail of Hong Kong dusts.

Amid blaring techno music, the emcee finally gave a short but very stirring speech for all of us. It was so inspiring that I had goosebumps all over my body and this made me feel like puking even more. I realized, “what a minute this is far better than the rousing call during the last PSE Bull Run!”

Oh I wanted to back out.

While everyone was counting down, I closed my eyes and clasped my hands and said my standard prayer. “Magpapakabait na ako, patapusin mo lang sa akin ang marathon na ito.” He he he. Really.

Bang! The runners stormed down to Nathan road, turned left at Austin road  then to Canton road Wui Cheung  and we entered the West Kowloon highway.

I was surprised, that I was feeling strong during the start. It was like I left all my anxieties at Nathan road after the gun went off. I kept telling myself like a mantra “This is what I trained for” over and over.

After a few minutes, my mantra changed. I started to do my countdown :”O Jerome, 41 K na lang. ”My god! I knew this was going to be a loooong day.

Most of the time, say about 95% of the race, we were running on Hong Kong’s national highways or expressways. If you’ve taken the bus from the airport to either Kowloon or Hong Kong island, you have definitely travelled on these magnificent roads.

Watsons distilled water were supposed to be served at every 5K point. But I believe I saw water stations at every 2.5K or so. If Im not mistaken also, the ISO-Tone sports drink were made available earlier as well as the Cadbury chocolates. Sosy!

Volunteers at every water station were all cheering (go on?) to all runners. At one station, they were playing a recorded cheer na naka-loop! Astig!

The ambience for me was intense in most parts because all you can hear was the panting and huffing of runners in Chinese!

(Note: We should have the Iso-Tone drinks here in the Philippines also. They have this minty taste which makes it refreshing even at room temperature).

At the 10K or 11K point, inside the Teung Ching tunnel, the lead pack (4 Kenyans) of the race was already on their way back. Not too far was Buenavista on a toe-to-toe battle with another Kenyan. Their strides were so close they were already overlapping. I cheered our Kababayan “Go Buenaventura!!!” Ooops! (the following minutes, I was trying to remember what Vertek’s family name was.

TURN AROUND POINTS
Finally we reached the Tsing Ma bridge where the first turnaround was at 15.4Km.

Forgot to mention, the organizers had set cut-off times for different distances/locations. “Runners who fail to reach the following locations before the specified times as stated below must board the official buses.” This is in order to facilitate the opening of the marathon route to normal traffic at 1:30pm.

For this point (15.4Km), you have to be in within 2 hours before the double decker grim reaper gets ya!

The Winds at the two bridges near Lantao Island were merciless. Just like what a Singaporean 3:20 marathoner warned me before the race. He said in his distinct Singaporean accent :”Is this yo first? Take it easy ok? And watch out for the bridge!” He wasn’t kidding.

At 20.3 Km at Ting Kau bridge, the cut off was 2 hours 40. I was IN at 2:14. I was still feeling strong when I reached half way at 2:18.

I knew I was slowing down already at 25K since the group I was running with was already ahead of me by several meters. I got the Omega pain killer from my belt and spread a generous amount on my quads and calves.

At 27K BOOM! I started going bonkers. I felt the fatigue on my legs, and my quads were twitching wildly. By this time, first aid officers were deployed every 2Km giving out those wonder Chinese liniment lotion to tired and weary runners. They were so hot selling that in some stations they ran out of stocks!

I reached the 30K mark at 3:42. Many have arrived in bonkersville at this point. They were sitting under tents covered in blankets and being consoled by their loved ones on their mobiles.

The grim reaper from time to time passed by us ferrying unsuccessful runners back to the finish line.

The highway leading to Hong Kong island was endless and brutal. I started doing the Galloway run-walk intervals not out of technique but out of necessity. Inside the Western Harbour Tunnel, I chanced upon fellow Pinoy runner Ms. Ivy Macainan and gave her a high 5!

Outside the tunnel, about 8 Km more to go, I sped things up a little bit as I negotiated Rumsey Street flyover at HK Central.

I knew I could give the last 5Km a stronger kick but I was already afraid that would result to cramps. I kept on applying those Chinese wonder lotion and my Omega lotion and gently massaged the affected muscles. The last thing I would want to happen here is suffer a cramp and jeopardize my first marathon.

Ive ran so many 5Ks, 10Ks, 21Ks, and even 25K events. But this marathon’s final 3 kilometers was the most vicious 3K Ive done so far. I continued to hydrate and emptied the remaining flask in my fuel belt. I still stopped to massage my legs just to make sure the twitching stops.

As we entered Lockhart road and St. George Street, the deafening cheer of the Sunday’s shoppers crowd reververated throughout Causeway Bay. It was an amazing feeling running through those streets giving our worn out bodies another adrenaline rush for that one last kick to the finish line.

I made my last turn and saw the blue and green flooring leading to the Finishline Arch. It was unbelieveable. I slowed down a bit because I wanted to savor the remaining seconds of the grueling test. I wanted the pain and suffering to last a little bit more because I knew it would take a looong time before I run another 42.

Our Kababayans from Cebu were cheering me on as I crossed the line. There were about a hundred of us who crossed the line all at the same time.

5:26:49 was my time. Saved by 4 minutes before the cut-off of 5:30. Faster than Katie Holmes’ NY Marathon time, but not enough to beat Ms. Winfrey.

The crowd then started making a countdown to the 5:30 cut off. I turned back and saw several people dashing for the line to make it. A few did, but there were many who didn’t even if they were almost there. They were just an arms length away, and they didn’t make the cut off. It was dramatic. As far as I’m concerned, as long as you crossed the line, cut off or no cut-off, it’s a marathon.

Ivy Macainan was still at the finish line and we had our picture taken. I got my things and sat in a corner to rest my worn out legs. It took me a while before I could get on my two feet again.

I met the Cebu runners and learned that Leszl Lumindas won 3rd place in her 21K division. Mendel Lopes on the other hand finished 4th in the mens 21K challenge. I later found out that Leszl is a coach to many runners in Cebu. After HK, she will be competing 10K and 21K at the 2009 Arafura Games in Australia in May.

———
Well this experience has taught me many things. First, I learned what my body is capable of. This is where I felt the worst pain ever. I was aching all over: your glycogen levels are down… your body is shutting down and shouting at you to stop and quit.

The experience remains surreal todate. I can’t seem to remember the agony, the amount of pain I was feeling during the last miles of the marathon. But I kept on running because there was no way in hell that Im not crossing that finish line at Causeway Bay.

Now I know why non-runners will never understand why we put ourselves to such misery. I cant explain it, but one will have to run it and finish it for him to understand why.

I was telling myself towards the end of the race that I will probably not run another marathon in the next 5 years. Well, I was wrong. Ano ba ang susunod?

So that’s how I survived my first trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an amazing place with so many enterprising people. I will definitely be back in 2010 to run my second Hong Kong Marathon but this time Ill make sure that my family is with me in this awesome Hong Kong adventure.

Pacman Knows!

My friend told me that Mark Wahlberg appeared at a Lakers-Celtics game wearing a Pacman Knows shirt. As it turns out, this is the second time that he did it. Got this picture from another blog.

Manny has really arrived. 

I also want to have a shirt like this!

Laban Pacman! :) 

Adidas KOTR October 11, 2008

Adidas did a great job with this year's King of the Road Run. It was fun to finally run along the EDSA-Buendia flyover and along Buendia avenue. I finished with a terrible time but I'm not really competitive anyway. I was stopping a lot along the way and it was not to stop and smell the roses.

We were all lucky to have great weather that day. The sun was raging by 6AM which was much better than the last rain-drenched event I joined.

Nobody dared miss this one. I guess for many people, Adidas KOTR would be the main event of the year. For 10K alone, there were 1,400 plus finishers ( I also saw most of them...while they were on the stretch run back to the Fort :) ) .

At the finish line, I got to hang around with my nephew and watch the 21-K runners. These guys really impress me. Someday, I wish I can join and finish this event. I remember seeing one of the girls at this finish who seemed to be running out of breath. Good thing she didn't collapse. Her boyfriend and dog where with her at the finish line and they seemed to be in better shape. Oh well, that's my enduring image for the day.

The De La Salle AA Run

Link

My tita's blog :) It's quite refreshing to run when it's raining. Many were upset that the organizers messed up the directions. Not a few had to run back and make up for the wrong turn...no one forced them to, but it's just silly to be paying 200 pesos for a 5k race and then running only 3! Runners are smart consumers too :)

...I felt the same way initially. It's not nice to find out that you made a wrong turn just when you're about to hit the finish line. But on hindsight, I probably ran a total of 6K. That's a bonus!!!

NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell me

This podcast is highly recommended. A great combination of Games, political satire and news. This weekly show lasts for about 30 minutes and never fails to make me laugh.

What I find impressive is they always seem to guest a bigshot US politician like Congressmen and Senators. Even Obama calls in from time to time. And they really don't hold back on any punches...bigtime politician or not, they're all fair game.

How I wish I could listen in live and be a home contestant. The prize? A voicemessage from NPR's Carl Kessel. It may not sound like a million bucks, but I find it cool.

Podcast mania

I'm convinced now that the Ipod is the perfect companion on the road or when waiting at the doctor's clinic. And it took me 3 years to find out!

I still love morning radio (KDL and Teta News at MAxFM from 6-9AM and Failon/Sanchez on DZMM afterwards) but as soon as my favorite shows sign off, I listen to my Ipod.

Easily, my favorites are NPR's Wait Wait (great suggestion Cherry!) and Wall Street Journal podcasts (there are several). When I'm bored, I listen to RIcky Gervais canned shows. Many may not find him funny, but I think the guy's hilarious! One of the guys on his show, Don, is a real nutcase and just spews out outstanding nonsense.

Last night, I stumbled upon podcasts on DC and Marvel comics. Yet to listen to them, but I'm definitely looking forward to some alone time tomorrow (maybe in the evening).

FOr the meantime, look at my podcast subscriptions...it now resembles the DVD collection in my room in Taytay. "Acquired with such haste but left hanging for an eternity!" :)

...Better than a PSP :)

What's in a name?

We visited a few towns in Laguna yesterday. My dad heard about a barangay in Laguna called Taytay.

The trip took us to the underground cemetery in Nagcarlan, Laguna. As the pictures will show, the National Historical Institute is doing a great job. Just look at the well manicured lawn and the clean surroundings.

We did find barangay Taytay after lunch and bought some pasalubong as well as to chat with the owner of the pasalubong store. It appears barangay Taytay has been around since the 16th century! It's not so surprising really if you think that my hometown has also been around since the 16th too (Bambi HArper wrote an interesting column last year. Will try to post that here later).

On the way back, we made stops at Liliw, Laguna and Taytay falls in Majayjay.

Liliw was a pleasant surprise. They have a street there of tsinelas boutiques :) There were many local tourists which gave me the impression that the place has been able to generate enough buzz to make it a "required" stop for us visitors.

Yesterday's trip was truly outstanding. Our family should really do more of this (and to think that Laguna is just 2 hours away from our place!).

Runnex 25 run - UP Diliman

I should really change my name to the Lazy Blogger! :) This Run was three days ago but I only got myself to blog about it now.

Anyway, I won't write too much about it except to say that UP DIliman is a great place for running. I would like to go back next week. I finished the race in 450th place (out of a field of 500) but who's counting? (only me of course haha). My time was 1:12 hours.

Read more about it on Bullrunner and Baldrunner's blog. Coach Rio really did a great job in organizing this event.

...from the picture, it seems like I'm about to pass out :)