AIR21 supports advocacies on health and fitness

A healthy mind and body results in higher productivity, thus, more and more companies are supporting healthy living for their employees by providing financial and logistical support in promoting fitness activities in their offices. Even government agencies like ours, NAMRIA, encourages employees to participate in various sportsfests, aerobics classes, fun runs, cycling and more.  In the private sector, one great supporter of fitness is the Air 21. The company is co-presenter of the NBA Fit Run 2011 to be held this coming August 7, 2011 at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. To know more about Air 21’s advocacy of promoting fitness not only to their employees but to the Filipino people as well, here’s something from our friend in Air 21.

AIR21 a staunch supporter of fitness

AIR21 had always been at the forefront when it comes to supporting advocacies that involves health and fitness. A freight and cargo forwarding company, AIR21 had been an active participant in various sports events may it be local or international.

Since its inception on June 21, 1979, AIR21 believed in the power of sports to equalize and unite people headed by its active founder, visionary and Chairman of the Board, Alberto D. Lina.

Alberto “Bert” D. Lina himself is an active leader in various sports events being a golfer, a governor of the Philippine Basketball Association and Chairman Emeritus of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines to name a few.

As fruits of his unwavering hardwork and sports initiatives, he brought AIR21 to the game that all Filipinos love; basketball, with the AIR21 Express, organized and promoted Padyak Pinoy for the cycling community with the AIR21 Cycling team as representatives and encouraged sports participation among children by sponsoring the AIR21 Basketball Camp with the AIR21 Express.     

Just last January, Linaheim Corporate Services Inc., a member of the Lina Group of Companies and a sister company of AIR21, launched the Live Life at LGC, which promotes series of programs to help employees of the Lina Group of Companies stay in their best shape. Time passed by, and people had been more into the healthy and active lifestyle. AIR21 employees, actively participated in yoga and belly dancing classes which are being offered for free. The employees were even able to build small sporting communities among themselves with their fellow running or badminton buddies. 

Adapting to the signs of the times, AIR21 did not waste any time in joining and supporting fun runs. As a total logistics solutions provider, AIR21 sponsored various fun runs by delivering race bibs and singlets to online registrants. Among the running events that AIR21 supported are the 10.10.10 A Run for Pasig River, Condura Run and most recently the NBA-AIR21 Fit Run 2011.

“Sports did not just make Filipinos proud of their race, it also hoisted their confidence which propels them to do better at work or in everything they do,” says Bert Lina.

With more than 32 years in the logistics industry, AIR21 commits itself to support and participate in existing and upcoming sports events hoping to bring out the same joy, excitement and pride that sports does not just to its employees but to all Filipinos.

The AIR21 Express patiently teaches little kids techniques in playing basketball

Photo by: UBE Media

Run To be fit @ NBA Fit Run

Last Monday, 25 July 2011, NBA Fit together with Air 21 launched the 2^nd NBA Fit Run. It was attended by runners/bloggers and officials from NBA Fit and Air 21. The event will be the culminating activity of a 14 day health and fitness campaign of NBA Fit to various schools, colleges and universities in the Philippines.  The NBA Fit promotes healthy lifestyle and advocates the fight against obesity. The event presented by Air 21 will be held on August 7, 2011 at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Distance categories of 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K will be available for different types of runners from beginners to elites.

Event Details

Event Name         :  NBA Fit Run presented by Air21

Event Date           :  Sunday, 07 August 2011

Time                     :  5:00am to 10.00am (TBC)

Race Owner         :  NBA Fit, Air21

Race Organizer   :  RunRio, Inc.

Entry Fee             :  3k – PhP 400 
                                5k – PhP 500
                                10k – PhP 500
                                21k – PhP 600

Start Point            :   7^th Ave., Bonifacio Global City

End Point              :   9^th Ave., Bonifacio Global City

Distance               :   3k, 5k, 10k, 21k

For More Details Click Here

Register Now

Note: A centralized three-day singlet claiming activity will be held on August 4, 5 and 6 at the NBA Fit – Air21 Activity Area which will be available at the spaces covered by the corners of 7th Avenue, 28th Avenue, 9th Avenue and 26th Avenue of the Bonifacio Global City. 

Race that didn’t let us down: Rexona Run 2011

Lately, racing the 21K distance has become Team  JRunning’s favorite. At least, this forced us to run longer distances for our weekend LSDs. The distance also calls for endurance suited for the masters rather than speed needed for shorter distances more suited for younger runners. Last July 24, Team JRunning finished another 21K race, the Rexona Adventure Run 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia.

The race

We arrived early at MOA hoping to get a good parking space near the start/finish area. Though we have an ample time to warm-up, we rather go straight to the starting coral. A big number of 21K runners eagerly awaited for the starting gun to be fired off. The usual series of program activities primed the runners which were sent off at 5:10 am. We started  at a comfortable pace as we ran the first stage of the route. Being familiar with the route (as it was also used during the AKTV Run) helped us a lot in determining when and where to push or to slow down during the entire race. Though we were not aiming to set a new PR, all we wanted is an enjoyable race.   A great weather, a good pace, and no untoward incident along the way, it was really a great race.  I was even joking with Swthrt that I was running while sleeping (of course that’s impossible), but I was actually focusing on keeping a good pace and chanting on my mind the word “step, step, step” which helped me ran as far as I could before having walk breaks. Swthrt was also having a great run, as she consistently keep up with the agreed pace. When we reached the U-turn portion at the Baclaran area near Airport Road, I suddenly felt a slight pain on my right knee as if there was a pulled ligament. I was running when I made the turn and must have made a wrong landing of my foot that also slightly twisted my knee. I was in pain for about 10 to 15 minutes while running. I was quite worried as I may not be able to finish the race but God is great and He allowed me again to run strong, and the pain gone.  On our way back, and after conquering the two flyovers we were cheered on by the marshals who were shouting “last 3K!” to go as we made our left turn entering the CCP grounds. And making the final kilometer, we knew we did it again! It was a good race for Team JRunning!

Time mixed up

As we crossed the finish line we saw it was 2:46:+ gun time. It was right within our usual pace and better than our last 21K race at the Yamaha Run 2011 of 2:51:+. As I viewed the race results this morning, (though it was labeled unofficial) we were surprised,  our chip time had a difference of about 6 minutes. We crossed the line together as always and if there’s any difference it will only be a matter of seconds if not identical finish time. The question now is how reliable are these timing devices and the timing system that race organizers are using. Recently, comments and reactions on missing names/bib numbers in race results were becoming rampant. There were couple of races that we also experienced. Personal details were sometimes mixed up, one time I was placed in the women’s list with a female gender. This may be a minor thing for others but for someone who’s keeping track of their race performances and wanted to keep an official race record this could be disappointing. With the introduction of the new reusable timing card by Runrio, the issue of incorrect time may hopefully be reduced if not totally eliminated. It remains to be experienced when Runrio released the official time result taken by the Runrio Reusable Timing Card. Anyway, the whole event was well-organized and many runners went home happy and fulfilled. The Rexona Adventure Run 2011 was indeed a great running experience. Congratulations to all finishers! 

Miles for SMILES Run for Cleft Care 2011

This event is presented by Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI), the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO) and Smile Train to raise public awareness that “bingot” or cleft and other craniofacial conditions are treatable and that free comprehensive care is available.

NCFPI is a non-profit organization composed of volunteer medical professionals who aim to establish centers with excellent training, adequate equipment and resources needed to provide world-class services to Filipinos.

Join as an individual runner or form a group of 10 by bringing together your families, friends and colleagues to sponsor a child with cleft.

A 90-minute operation is all it takes to make a world of difference.

For more details, please visit www.ncfphil.org 

For race details visit http://www.milesforsmiles.pepsquadevents.com

The Warrior 50 - Run Hard, Party Harder

Registration Venues:

ANTEL PLATINUM TOWER

154 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City

A RUNNER'S CIRCLE

Aloha Hotel, Roxas Blvd., Manila

RUNNR

Ayala, Cebu

Conatct:

Jonel Mendoza - 0922 822 9342/ 843 2487

Raffy Uytiepo - 0906 290 5052

Singapore: Miss and Wish

Summer of this year, our family was blessed to have a vacation in Singapore. We have enjoyed it so much (especially the running part) that we missed the experiences during our stay with the family of Den and Joy.

at the Southern Ridges National Park

Swthrt enjoying the run

At Mount Faber Park

At Mount Faber Park

The fun time we had with their children was something we would never forget. We stayed there for ten days and have a chance to run around the Bukit Panjang area for several days. The running experience was quite different in the sense that the place was very clean. 

at school with Elliana and Louise

ice cream bar please!

one... two.. three pose!

the family in Singapore

with Elliana and Louise

and jump!

No  “tambays” on the streets that would make you feel threatened. Instead, the serenity of the place would make you feel safe and secured. We usually start our run at around 6:30 am which was still dark in Singapore as the sun rises at around 7 am. Being new to the place, our first run was just around the block. In our second run, we tried to be daring and run beyond our comfort zones and explore the district. And on the following days we even run up to the neighboring district.

one of the many parks in Bukit Panjang

another park for runners

We found the place runner- friendly and noticed too, that Singaporeans are also fond of running. In fact, one of the most popular marathon races in Singapore is now open for registration, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2011. One race that we really wish we could join this year.

screen capture of the Standard Charter Marathon 2011 website

We are praying and hoping for good souls to sponsor us in this trip as this would be one experience a runner would wish for, running a race abroad!

Run United 2 Registration Open

For more details visit http://www.runrio.com/

Yamaha Run 2011 Recap

The experience we have at the Yamaha Run for Heroes was no different from the other 21K races we participated in lately. Though we were blessed with a fine weather, it was quite humid and hot. Again, we started slow trying to keep a constant pace. We wanted to run without pressure of setting a PR but keeping in mind that we are dedicating the run to our personal hero Ninong Nomer. The familiarity with the area in Fort Bonifacio and Makati also helped in eased our tensions. It was a great run even though we finished (2:51:14) a little slower than our usual finishing time for this category.  Congratulations to Yamaha Motors Philippines for helping the families of our gallant soldiers through this charity run, and to Runrio for another well-organized race! 

photos by Greentennial

Mizuno Run 2011 finisher medal delivered

                                                                                                Photo by The Greentennial

Let me give credit where credit is due!


In the recently held Mizuno Run 2011 last June 11, there were 21K finishers who have not received their finishers’ medal, and Swthrt and I were among those. For whatever reasons the organizers might have, many runners were quite disappointed because of the lack of medals. It is an embarrassing situation at the finish line, others have while others don’t. The organizers were quick to react, however, and promised that medals will be delivered at the registered home address of those who were not lucky to have one after finishing the race.

True enough, we received but only Swthrt’s finisher’s medal last Tuesday. It was delivered at our residential address. Unluckily, I haven’t received mine. My theory was that Swthrt and I have the same name, Joseph and Josephine, which makes it prone to be mistaken as one and the same person. In almost all our races together, we have an almost identical finish time. This already happened at the Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 wherein it was only Swthrt’s name that was listed at the race result including the downloadable certificate. Anyway, I still hope that the organizers will act favorably on my request and will receive my finisher medal soon.

Rexona Run 2011 Registration extended

Registration for the Rexone Run 2011 is extended! Click here for details.

Also, take a look at the finisher singlet (not a shirt this time) and medal for the event!

So what are you waiting for?

Register Now!

Running for a hero

Today, July 2, 2011, Team JRunning  participated in another 21K race at the Yamaha Run for Heroes. The event aims to raise funds for the schooling of orphans of our soldiers who died in the line of duty. This will be coursed through the Heroes Foundation, which provides secured and consistent educational support for the children of departed soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

For us, this race was dedicated to one person who had been a hero not only to me but to my family.  My uncle Nomer, the youngest brother of my father who was also my godfather. I have good memories with him in my childhood. He would always bring home fried chicken from one of the best chicken houses in those days (if I remember it right, it was Kobe Fried Chicken). He was my artist who would draw for me in my school projects when I was in kindergarten. In my grade school graduation day, he even took me to a parlor and had my hair done, hehehe. Can you imagine me having curly hairdo? When he had his only family, he would always have me and my siblings in every occasion in their family. Ninong Nomer would always fetch us and bring us with his kids to Christmas shows held at the Araneta Coliseum, or bring us to the province with his kids for vacation. He brought us closer with his kids, Noel and Niel, whom I have become a big brother to them. Even in my college days, he would always provide for me for my studies. And when it was time for me to have my own family Ninong Nomer was still there to support me even while he was living with his family in the USA.

Now that he’s gone (he died last year while having a vacation here in the Philippines) and will be celebrating his birthday on July 5, we dedicate the Yamaha Run for Heroes to Ninong Nomer!