My Future Marathons

Listing some of the Marathons I plan to join in the coming years. These are all located in Asia.. for now.

China

• Beijing International Marathon
• Great Wall Marathon
• Shanghai Marathon
• Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon
• Macau Marathon

Japan

• Tokyo Marathon
• Osaka Marathon

Malaysia

• Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon

Philippines

• Camsur Marathon
• Cebu Marathon

Singapore

• Singapore Sundown Marathon
• Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore

Taiwan

• Taipei Marathon

Thailand

• Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon

UAE

• Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

My 2009 Runs

2009 is my year! I have accomplished much this year (blogging is not one of them, hehe..) but most importantly, i have run a lot this year.

I joined a total of 18 runs this year.

8miles:
May 31 - IE8 Run - 1:10:11

5K:
Jan 25 - Happy Run - 26:24

10K:
Jan 18 - PSE Bull run
Mar 15 - Run For Their Lives - 49:58
Mar 29 - Pinay In Action
Jul 5 - Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations - 52:29
Jul 12 - Fit & Fun Run - 1:11:06
Jul 26 - Run with M.E. - 49:25
Dec 20 - Philstar Celebrity Run - 49:21

15K:
Feb 22 - RUNew - 1:23:56
Jun 7 - Mizuno Infinity Run - 1:20:48
Aug 15 - Kenny's Open Urbanite Run - 1:28:37

21K:
Mar 22 - Condura Run - 1:56:45
Jul 19 - Run For Home - 1:51:29
Oct 25 - Adidas KOTR - 2:16:26
Nov 15 - Timex Run - 2:10:19
Nov 29 - New Balance Power Run - 2:07:10

42K:
Singapore Marathon - 4:35:39

It goes without saying that the highlight of my run this year is my first full marathon in Singapore. I've finally done it, finally reached my goal of completing 42.195 kilometers. It was so much fun. An experience I want to do over and over again.

Looking forward to more injury-free runs in 2010..

Run For Home Results

I am Name Unknown!

And I might not be the only one with that name.

Results of last Sunday's "Run for Home" are out. It can be found in this link. You need either your race number or last name in order to check your time. It's not your typical race results as it contains some pretty interesting information about how you did.

What pissed me off was that when I entered my race number, instead of showing my name, it came out as "Name unknown". WTH! You can say that I kinda expected this to happen. Why? Because the day before the run, I received a text message from a guy named Frank from Globe asking for my race number. When I asked him why he needed it, he told me that they forgot to list my name when they gave me my race packet. So I responded and texted him my race number. I guess that didn't help at all because they still failed to identify me.

Anyway, I'm very happy with my run because it's a new PR for me for 21KM. Although I did not meet my goal of 1:45, I'm still happy because I was able to shed off around 5 mins from my last 21KM. And here's proof that I am Name Unknown.

Friday the 13th

Feb 13

Friday the 13th... Eve of Valentine's day...

This is how my day went...

Accompanied Tet to DFA for a personal appearance for Trisha's passport...

Had a meeting for Run@HP at our TWS office...

Had H.B.L.T. Sandwich from The Sandwich Guy... really good and affordable!

Work... work... work...

Had Sandwich again for Dinner at home...

Played with Trisha...

Watched Dora and Desperate Housewives...

Surf... surf... surf... the internet that is... while watching CNN...

Blog...

And now going to sleep on Valentine's day... it's already Feb 14.

But not after I send a quick work email...

Run Forest Run

This is also an overdue post.
Last September 28, Tiano and I organized our second charity run. This time we opened it not only for our team but to the entire HP ADSI organization. We had a total of 16 runners (I know that's very few compared to the 400+ population of the organization). But I'd say it was still a success! Why? We were able to raise Php50,250 from 184 pledges for the Haribon Foundation. That's equivalent to 670 new trees!!


So this is to thank all the runners, the people who pledged and the volunteers for helping to make this charitable event successful!

Sharing some pictures during the run.

Before the run

After the run

Finisher

Organizers

RFR BannerNext up: HP run!

1st Finsys Fun Run - The Turnover

I know this is long overdue. Last July 12, we went to the National Children’s Hospital and had a formal turnover of our donations to the Kythe Foundation amounting to PhP26,000. On behalf of the organizers of the 1st FinSys run and all the runners, we would like to thank everyone who pledged for this cause. We made a difference to the lives of those children!

Again, THANK YOU for your generosity!

Want to know more about Kythe? Visit their website at www.kythe.org

My 2008 runs

Just wanted to quickly post the runs I participated in last year. Joined a total of 10 races.

January 27 - Bull Run 5K
March 30 - Mizuno Run 10K
April 13 - On Your Mark 10K
May 18 - Run with Pringles 3 miles
June 14 - Finsys Payment Run 8.8K
June 15 - MH All-Terrain Race 12K
June 29 - Rush to Infinity Run 15K
August 17 - MH Miracle Run 10K
September 28 - Run Forest Run 4.4K
October 11 - Adidas KOTR 10K

Looking back at my runs, I was nowhere near my 2008 goal of running my first ever marathon. But instead, this is what I have accomplished.

1. Longest run was 15K.
2. Average run was 10K.
3. Most active month was June (3 runs).

And because I don't run regularly and don't prepare for my runs, I got injured. I have learned my lesson. For 2009, my goal is to put in more miles and to choose my runs wisely. Overall, I'm still targeting to run my first (and hopefully not my last) marathon towards the last quarter of the year. And this time, I hopefully will be able to achieve this because I have prepared.

Best job in the world!!

I chanced upon this article on Yahoo! news today. "Best job in the world!"

The link can be found here but I also pasted it below if you're too lazy to click on the link.

Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island

SYDNEY (AFP) – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.
The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

"The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world."
Lucas said the campaign was part of a drive to protect the state's 18 billion Australian dollar a year tourism industry during the tough economic climate caused by the global financial meltdown.

"Traditional tourism advertising just doesn't cut it sometimes and we are thinking outside the box by launching this campaign."

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said some people might question whether it was risky to let an unknown person become an unofficial tourism spokesperson for the state.

"I think the biggest risk will be that the successful candidate won't want to go home at the end of the six months," she said.

"This is a legitimate job which is open to anyone and everyone."

Applications are open until February 22. Eleven shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six month contract will commence on July 1.

Job-seekers can apply on Islandreefjob.com.

Wouldn't it be cool to have that job? Unless you hate the sun, the sand and the sea.

A New Year!

A Blessed New Year to everyone!!

2008 is over! It's the first day of 2009, the year of the Ox (or cow/carabao for some). The Ox is the most appropriate animal for the year 2009. From the looks of it, with the global economic crisis, we'll have to work as hard as the Ox to earn our keep.

Read from Yahoo News! that a lot of billionaires lost their money and are now no longer billionaires. One lost everything while the others were demoted from billionaires to millionaires. Well, the more you have, the more you lose. At least, the poor have no such problem, they have nothing to lose in the first place. =p

The fate of the world, as far as the global economy is concerned, rests in the hands of Obama and his team. I'm sure everyone will be watching his every move and how he'll turn the economy around. I hope he succeeds.. for everyone's sake!

Anyway, I'm excited and really looking forward to what lies ahead for me and my family in 2009. I have faith in GOD and I know He is in control! So why should I worry?

The Dunkin Donut Ad is Bad Influence!

You know how kids these days try and copy what they see on TV? Well, Trisha is like that. She tries and copies almost all of the advertisements she sees on TV which brings me to this one ad that I think has a bad influence on children.

Surprisingly, it's an ad about donuts. Specifically, the Dunkin Donuts ad. The one where the little girl was yelling non-stop because she was trying to figure out who ate her donut (I think it was a boston creme) only to find out that it was her mom who was eating it.

I believe this sends a wrong message to children. They might find such behavior amusing and may think that it's ok to imitate. And without parental guidance, they may get the idea that shouting is ok and can be a way for them to get attention or to get what they want.

Going back to Trisha, she did copy what she saw on the donut ad. So we had to tell her that it was not right to shout.

Media has to be responsible with what they show on TV especially the impact it has to the children watching.

my fear

Last night, Trisha and I had a heart to heart talk. With a serious face, I told her that she should promise me that she will not marry early. She's 2 years old. I know, I know! She's too young for the talk and she would probably not remember it. I couldn't recall what her answer was. She was too busy trying to go back to playing. I know I sound silly, maybe even weird. But the thought of her getting married at an early age just scares me! I know any dad with a daughter feels the same way at a certain point in their lives. Mine was just early, a little bit too early. Hehe..

So Trisha, when you're old enough to read this. Be warned! =p

Urbanathlon or Powerrace?

Bought my October copy of Men's Health Philippines today and found out that the annual MH Urbanathlon coincides with the New Balance Powerrace. The 2 runs are among my favorite road races so I am torn between which event to join. Of the many weekends, why did both events choose to be on the same day? Well, I'm sure they didn't plan this. And I don't think either will change their dates. Oh well, guess I'll just have to flip (a coin that is) for it.

iamninoy

iamninoy. areyouninoy? doyouknowninoy? Saw this ad on TV today and immediately checked out the website. Following are excerpts from the "iamninoy campaign background" which i got from the site:

"The year 2008 marks the 25th death anniversary of the martyred national hero Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. In tribute, the Benigno S. Aquino Jr., Foundation (BSAF), together with friends and supporters, will hold a year-long celebration of his life and legacy through a campaign entitled: iamninoy

The core message of the Campaign is the selfless giving of the best of ourselves for our countrymen and women and the advancement of the country as a whole. Hence, the campaign is designed to create innovative mechanisms and systems for the participation of corporate brands and their customers in schemes that contribute to causes and projects that enhance the welfare of the poor and marginalized Filipinos."

If you want to know more, you can check out their site, iamninoy. It contains a lot of stuff like information about ninoy for those who don't know him and since this is a year long campaign, they have several events lined up. And one the events is the Ninoy Aquino Photo Exhibit that features the Willy Vicoy Collection organized by the Ayala Foundation in partnership with Hewlett-Packard. :p

There are lots of other events being planned but what got me excited was the word "marathon". I hope this pushes through because I'm sure a lot of runners will be excited to join it.

My Miracle Run

This is my 100th post and I will write about my recent run, the Men's Health Miracle Run. It's a miracle that I was able to finish the 10K run. I normally wouldn't have a problem finishing a 10K run but not this time. It took me over 15 mins more to cross the finish line than my average finish time. Good thing this run was all about just being able to finish in order for MH to donate P200/runner to the GMA foundation.


But the real question here is "Why did it take me that long to finish the 10K run"? There's only one answer. Blame it on my injured knee. Yes, it's the same left knee that I injured during the rush to infinity run last June 29. After getting that injury, I stopped running to let it heal. Problem is I didn't go to the doctor like I said I would to have it checked. I was hoping it would heal itself and that I would be back to normal by the time I run again which is why I skipped running for more than a month. And a day before the run, I even bought a Phiten UPS Titan Tape roll hoping that it would help prevent any pain.

I was psychologically ready for the run. I woke up early and was at the venue an hour before the run would start. I made sure that I did the proper stretching and was able to do a few laps around the parking lot for my warm up. But even during the warm up run, I started to feel a little pain on that stubborn knee. I would later learn that the pain was only the preview of more pain to come.

I was relaxed and was chatting with Wa when the run started. Since we were positioned at the back of the crowd, we had to walk for a while but eventually started to run when the crowd started to disperse and there was more room to run. I thought that if the pain would reoccur then it would probably be around the 5K mark. But no, my knee has its own mind. I started to feel the pain even before I reached 2K. I had to slow down but that would not stop me from running. I almost reached 5K without walking or stopping. I tried as hard as I can to forget about the pain until I could no longer take it which eventually forced me to walk a few hundred meters before reaching 5K. And it was downhill from there. While the others were running, I had to walk and walk I did for more than half of the remaining 5K. It was frustrating! Nevertheless, I am still thankful that I was able to finish.

A big lesson learned here. An injury cannot heal itself. I have to go see a doctor. I have to run regularly. I have to! I have to!

A big thanks to Wa as well for accompanying me during my walks. Hehe..

Latent TB and Why I Care...

Even before Trisha turned one, her pediatrician had advised the possibility of doing a test to rule out "Primary Complex" due to the slow increase of her weight. We initially thought that Trisha didn't need the test because aside from the slow weight gain, she had no other symptoms that would suggest she had primary complex. She rarely gets sick and her milk intake was normal. Our only problem was she prefers chips, chocolates and candies to real food. Her doctor even accepted the fact that maybe she was just petite.

And then just 2 weeks ago when we went for her monthly check-up, her pediatrician advised us that it was better to have Trisha undergo the test just to be sure because she was concerned that at her age, she was still at less than 10kgs. And so last week, we had her tested (procedure was to inject a TB-like substance under the surface of the skin). We had to wait for 2 days before we would know the results. We were hoping that it was nothing but her test results came out positive. However, her doctor said that she has no primary complex but what she has instead was referred to as "latent TB". She said that Trisha might have been exposed to someone who has TB. Anyway, she ordered an X-ray to be done just to be sure that it was really not a primary complex. I'm glad it was not.

But since Trisha has latent TB, it still needs to be treated. Her doctor prescribed a medicine that she needs to take for 9 months. Poor Trisha! Looking at the bright side, at least there is a way to prevent her from developing active TB. Cases like these may be normal but it still affects us as parents to think that our daughter has it. =(

But what is Latent TB?

According to Wikipedia... "Latent tuberculosis is where a patient is infected with Myobacterium tuberculosis, but does not have active tuberculosis disease. Patients with latent tuberculosis are not infectious, and it is not possible to get TB from someone with latent tuberculosis. The main risk is that approximately 10% of these patients will go on to develop active tuberculosis at a later stage of their life. The identification and treatment of people with latent TB is an important part of controlling this disease."

I also found an article comparing Latent vs Active TB here. Basically, a latent TB can be compared to a dormant volcano. Once it comes out of hibernation and explodes, it becomes active. This is the same case with latent TB, once it turns active, then it's referred to as active TB. Makes sense huh? =) Anyway, the great news is latent TB can be prevented from becoming active by taking medication which would kill the TB bacteria. Here's a useful link on how to treat latent TB.

Bottomline here is, there's really nothing to worry about but of course as parents, we can't help but worry especially if it's our child who has it. That's human nature!

Trisha's Apology

Trisha is just turning 2 in a few months and we (Tet and I, and some of our friends as well) are amazed how well she is able to converse with people.

Anyway, I want to share an incident today when I was scolding her for not being careful when she spilled water on the couch from her water bottle.

This is how she responded.

Trisha: Galit na Daddy.
Me: Oo, galit na talaga daddy kasi hindi ka careful.
Trisha: Sorry. Sorry na Daddy. Sorry na.

This was the first time that she voluntarily apologized because usually when she does something wrong, we would tell her to say sorry and she would say it but doesn't seem to mean it. But today, she actually meant it.

How could I continue to be mad after hearing that? My heart just melted with those words. Yun lang!

23.. 32.. Who cares?

I just turned 23 yesterday. At least that's what I want to believe my age is. Hahaha.. Anyway, at my age, I don't really expect to receive gifts from anyone except from myself, my wife and my co-workers. Haha.. Lo and behold, I received gifts from each one. I am truly blessed! =)

Let's start with what I got myself for my birthday.. I am somewhat on a budget so as a gift for my birthday, I got myself and Tet tickets to the Cinderella musical. I picked the Aug 8 show because it's the one closest to my birthday. Another gift I got for myself is the Amphipod RunLite Hydration Belt which Deedee was gracious enough to buy for me in the US.

Tet, on the other hand, got me an Oakley. It's a half jacket model (jet black frame and fire iridium lens). She got me this so that I have eye protection when I run. How thoughtful!

And lastly, my Finsys teammates got me a New Balance singlet. See me model the singlet below (while holding a chocolate cake and a bottle of caramel sauce).

Thanks to me (Haha..), Tet and my Finsys teammates for the gift/s and for all those who remembered to greet me on my special day. God bless you guys!

That's it. If I had free-flowing cash, a perfect gift to myself would probably be a trip to Beijing with Tet and Trisha to watch the Olympics. I could only wish...

Another Busy Weekend..

Last weekend was a busy weekend for us. We had activities lined up from Friday to Sunday.

August 1 - Friday

We had dinner at the Kabisera restaurant in Bonifacio High Street. By "we" I meant the FinSys oldies.. hehe.. namely Wa, Jon, Joaqs, Roy, Lancer, Suraj, Barbs, Thea, Vicky + me, Tet, Trisha and Kat. The dinner was a get together for Vicky who had already resigned from HP and had recently come back from Canada.

picture to follow..

August 2 - Saturday

Joaqs' birthday party @ Linden Suites, room 1114. Tet, Trish and I were the first to arrive at around 7:30pm. Peter then arrived shortly after which was followed by Kabby, Cris and Roy. And then the others started to arrive. The food (by Verleo except for the Pancit which was bought from Orchid motel) and drinks were overflowing. Trisha had a fun time but we had to leave early (around 10pm) because it was already past her bedtime.

picture to follow..

August 3 - Sunday

Attended Smile's Christian wedding at "The Greenery" in Bulacan on a rainy day. The place was quite far and there were very few signs along the way. Wa and Kat carpooled with us and we got lost several times trying to find the venue. The wedding had already started when we got there but we were still able to witness most parts of the wedding ceremony. The place was nice especially where the actual wedding ceremony took place and the train. The food was also good. On our way back, we convoyed with Ralph's vehicle to make sure we don't get lost again.

picture to follow..

So that was our weekend. Didn't really have much time to rest but it was a fun weekend.

北京欢迎你

August is just around the corner and it's going to be an exciting month! Aside from it being my birth month, it's the Beijing Olympics month!!



8 days from now on 08.08.08 at exactly 08:08:08 pm, the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony will begin. I'm 100% sure it's going to be one spectacular event!! On that day and at that time, I will be here in Manila watching Cinderella at the CCP. I'll just ask one of my friends to record the opening ceremonies so I could watch it after.

I've stopped hoping for a miracle that I will be in Beijing for the Olympics and besides, I wouldn't want my Cinderella tickets to go to waste. =P

Anyway, my sister called me today and told me to listen to the Beijing Olympics theme song in youtube. She said that it was a beautiful song and that I would like it. I did like it! It's a Chinese song (obviously!) entitled "Beijing Welcomes You" (北京欢迎你) featuring various Chinese artists, most of which I don't recognize. The song is quite long (over 6 mins) but it carries a beautiful melody and a nice message. The song was also performed during the 100 days countdown event in China.

These are exciting times for Beijing. Wouldn't you want to be there during the Olympics?

Alternative Fuels, anyone?

With the price of fuel consistently rising, more and more people are looking for ways to either cut fuel consumption or go for alternative fuels.

To cut fuel consumption, we would have to stop using our vehicles or at least minimize using them which for some of us is not really acceptable. Carpooling is also one option in cutting fuel consumption but how many of us have colleagues that live in the same place as us? Another way of cutting fuel consumption is to live close to where we work so that instead of driving to work, we'll just walk. However, this would only work if we're renting because it's not easy to just sell our house and find a new one close to our workplace. And what if we find a new job in a different location? There's also the option of changing your gas or diesel powered vehicle to a hybrid one but we all know that hybrid vehicles are expensive and I don't know if they are already available here in the Philippines (probably not).

So, finding alternative fuels that are cheaper is probably the most sensible way to combat the rising fuel prices. But what are the available alternative fuels in the Philippines?
One available option is to convert our vehicles to run on LPG since it is cheaper than gasoline or diesel and according to reports is environmentally friendly. The conversion cost is around P70,000 for gas-powered vehicles. I'm not sure if diesel-powered vehicles can be converted. One UK site says it can but that it is more costly. Of course, there are pros and cons in using LPG. But from what I've been reading, there are more advantages than disadvantages. Developed countries like the UK, US and Japan are adapting LPG-powered vehicles. I remember when I was in Japan in 2000, the cabs there were already running on LPG. Anyway, one major concern here in the Philippines about using LPG is the supposedly adverse effect on health. If that is untrue, then converting to LPG is a good option (after shelling out the P70,000 conversion cost and giving up your trunk space).

But if you don't have P70,000 or do not want to have an LPG tank in your vehicle or is convinced that installing LPG in your vehicle will have a bad effect on your health, the option is to use ethanol-blended gasoline on your vehicle. Currently, some oil companies already offer what they call E10 gasolines (90% gas & 10% bioethanol). They are normally P2/liter cheaper than the regular gasolines. According to reports, there should be no need for any conversion and should have no difference from regular gasolines in terms of vehicle performance and is also good for the environment. But I've heard different opinions about E10. Some say that it's only for newer vehicles and some say that as long as a vehicle has an EFI engine then it's safe to use E10. I personally am not sure what to believe but I found an AU site that can help determine which vehicles can use E10. I think this is the easiest option for most car owners since there's no tweaking needed and can be done at once. Unfortunately, this is not for all and gas stations offering E10 are not widely available yet. Most importantly, the P2/liter price difference may not be enough as compared to the huge difference one can save when using LPG or other cheaper alternative fuels.

And then there's taking Bioethanol to the next level. It's the same fuel used in E10 but instead of only 10% bioethanol & 90% gas, this time it's 85% bioethanol & 15% gas.They call it E85. Saw this in the news today. This is already available in Manila. However, there's a device that needs to be put in the engine first before E85 can be used by a vehicle as a fuel. And the device costs around P25,000. It's relatively cheaper than converting to an LPG and the fuel price is almost the same. You don't have to sacrifice trunk space and it's also environmentally friendly.

At the end of the day, it's up to us to decide which of the options available will work for us. As for me, I think I'm leaning more into the E85 for now.