Photos Talk _ Dinner with BFFs

RMCHS Batch 82 First Family Fun Run

For us, running is not only a sports but a family affair too! Last November 14, 2010, Batch 1982 of the Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School held its first family fun run inside the UP Diliman. The event aims to strengthen camaraderie among batch mates through a healthy cause. The affair dubbed “Takbo, Lakad, Chika” exactly described the said gathering. The proceeds of the fun run will be used as initial funds for this year’s Christmas party of the batch. Details on this will be announced soon. The fun run was initiated by the batch’s 2 Bottles Club (2BC) with the support of various section representatives. A good number of batch mates with their families grace the occasion despite the fact that it was Pacquiao versus Margarito boxing match.

The fun day
Swthrt and I arrived at UP at around 5:15 am. We decided to do a couple of rounds of the academic oval before proceeding at the registration area at the side parking lot of the Bahay ng Alumni.

After we have registered and made some chika with batch mates, we continued our run to complete our 10K goal for the day as part of our training. At around 6:30 am, we returned at the venue and prepare for the event. I opened the event with a prayer after which batch mate Robert Cornelio thanked and welcome the participants. I led the stretching before we started the run.

When everyone was finished, we did some raffle of prizes donated by some of our generous batch mates. Food (Carrot cupcakes) and drinks (Powerade and Real Leaf Tea) were also provided courtesy of Liza Diño. The day ended with a family picture taking for souvenir. It was obvious that everyone who participated enjoyed the gathering.

So to those who missed the fun day, hope to see you next time!

*Pictures grab from RMCHS82 e-group site

First weekend run for the year

Wanting to start the year right and staying fit, Swthrt and I had our first weekend run at UPD. Last Sunday, we arrived at Abelardo Hall parking area a few minutes before 6:00am and it was still dark. We decided on running at the academic oval only (late last year, we have been trying different route inside the UP campus) since we will be meeting with our friend, Chiqui later. We already did 2 rounds of the oval before being joined by Chiqui. We have been pushing her to try joining races for quite some time. We were able to accomplish our 10K easy run goal for the day.

It was also nice to see friends like Vener and the Solemates, Jun and Mariel. Keep on running!

Running rain or shine

After having some good practice runs for several days, the urge to run continues. Since I have to wait until 7pm to be out on the streets because of color-coding, I did an out and back run from our office (NAMRIA) to BHS. I added one loop of the BHS before going back. I ran at a comfortably hard (tempo) pace covering approximately 6KM under a drizzle. The comment from Bald Runner in my last post to run rain or shine really pushed me to do it. It was a good thing it did not rain hard during my run. I just hope that our schedule will permit us to run regularly especially on weekdays. Swthrt and I knew that consistency in training is the key to a better performance.

To our friends who will be running the Milo finals on Sunday, We wish you the best!

Have a safe and enjoyable run this weekend to everyone!

ATO Run and a weekend with our brothers

Having decided to run the 21K t the New Balance Race this September, Swthrt and I did an August Twenty One run in Fort Bonifacio. Since it was a holiday, we woke up early for a test run of the published route, or at least portions of it, for the coming NB race. We started our run with a one round warm up at the BHS. We then proceeded to Bayani Road C5 which is our first turn around point. On our way back, while running uphill going near the Libingan ng mga Bayani gate, Swthrt suddenly felt pain on her left knee and shin. Since it was still bearable, we continued to run all the way to Lawton Avenue. At this point, Swthrt started to have walk breaks as the pain persisted, especially when we were running uphill. I asked her if she wanted to continue the run and she said she wanted to try and go on. We decided to go to Mckinley Hills instead of going to Gate 3, and took a short stop at the 7-11 store to buy Vitwater to refill our hydration bottles. As we make our way going down to C5 Mckinley, Swthrt made a sign that the pain in her knee became intense that I decided to call it a day for our training. I don’t want her to further injure her knee. We went home and iced her knee and shin and took a rest on weekend.

Dinner with Brad
Our morning run may have not ended the way we want it to be but the day ended with a wonderful dinner with my brother-in-law, Bardley. He came all the way from Hawaii to do a church mission down south of the Philippines. We had a wonderful dinner with him together with my family and parents at the restaurant in the hotel where he was billeted. It was really great to have chatted with him and updated ourselves with what’s going on with him, my sister Liza and their children. Brad was truly a blessing to my sister and our family. Brad flew back to Hawaii last Saturday.

Weekend with Ed
The following day, Saturday, was another day with another brother-in-law. We visited Ed, Swthrt’s brother, in Batangas. He came from a work in Australia. Our children had a great time with their cousins too. We even got a chance to eat BBQs and Isaws with relatives in Batangas. We stayed overnight there and went back to Manila early Sunday morning for church worship service.

Birthday lunch with Louie
The series of happy times with brothers seem not enough; our brother in Christ, Louie celebrated his birthday with the church members after our church service with a sumptuous lunch. Having to dine with family and friends was an intimate way to have a fellowship. Louie was truly a blessing and inspiration to us. God bless you bro!

The case of the missing comments

Since my last two posts, i have been wondering why no one posted any comment especially on the Run for Home with Swthrt. I know i don't have that much comments in my postings but at least i got one or two comments from friends who regularly visit my site. Thanks to Nora (life begins at 50) who commented on Swthrt's 21k Globe run on my Milo postings and noted that the comments button were missing on my recent post. I must have mixed-up the settings when i changed the layout of this blog. Now the comments button were back! Hope to hear from you!

Photo Talks - The Learning Tree (TLT) Fun Run

Stretching before the run with Swthrt and Art (David's Dad)

Best friend David and JM

T. Francie (School Directress), David, JM, Justin and Jed

T. Francie, Swthrt, JM, David and Me


JM followed closely by David

Giving support to Josiah who finished the 3K race.

T. Joey and T. Francie thanking those who participated in the fun run

The children and thier families

Photos courtesy of Jeng Laureta (Mrs Homemaker)

JM passed PhiSci’s exam

JM, our eldest son will be graduating in elementary this year. As a preparation for his high school, he took several entrance examinations in different schools among them were the Quezon City Science High (QCSHS) and the Philippine Science High School (PSHS). It was JM’s dream to study in either of these schools. He probably got his inspirations from his Ninang/Tita Liza, my younger sister, who graduated from QCSHS and his Ninong/Tito Neil, my cousin who was a graduate of PhiSci. Yesterday, we learned that the results of the PSHS entrance examination were out. Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro of the Department of Science and Technology and Chair of the Philippine Science High School System Board of Trustees announced through the school’s official website the list of successful qualifiers to the PSHS Search for Scholars for 2009. Out of 21,303 applicants, only 1,119 passed the one-step screening administered on November 15, 2008. The PSHS System has eleven (11) campuses all over the country and JM was eligible to enroll at the main campus in Quezon City. He also passed the QCSHS first screening examination last December and was scheduled to take the second screening exam this Saturday, January 31. JM’s best friend since grade I, David was likewise qualified.

God was truly kind to JM as He continually blessed him with great achievements in his studies. Swthrt and I pray that JM will continue to put God first in his life and give the honor and glory back to our Lord Jesus Christ. JM, congratulations and we are proud of you son!

A wonderful gift from a wonderful couple

Last Christmas we received a wonderful gift from a wonderful couple friends. With their generosity, they shared the blessings they received from God. Last December 28-29, we were treated to an overnight stay at the Makati Shangri-la courtesy of Louie & Lea. It was a gift that will be remembered for a lifetime. For years now, Swthrt and I have shared great times with Louie and Lea. They were ninong and ninang of our children and vice-versa. We have known each other even when we were still singles. And since then, until we all got married, our lives continue to be the arena of a very nice fellowship.

The plan
We went to Batangas last Christmas day to spend time with Swthrt’s family. We stayed there until the 27th of December. We even had a post Christmas run from her hometown. It will be told in another posting. Our plan is to leave the kids to the grandparents and have that moment for ourselves. It was the same with L&L, as they spent Christmas day in Laguna and left their children there too for the special day. And so when the day came, after our church service, we went to Shangri-la Hotel to spend two days.

The Special Day
We checked-in at around 3:00 pm. Initially we planned on taking an adjoining room but there was no such available at the moment. We were assigned to room 813 while L&L were at room 809. It was really a special day for us couples to spend intimate moments with our sweethearts (Baby and I call each other swthrts while L&L call each other sweets, o di ba?). Spending time with our partners will continue to strengthen our relationships and will surely add spice to our marriages. Do you remember when was the last time you spent an intimate moment (a date, watch movie together, walk in the park) with your wife or husband? Sometimes we neglect this area of our married lives because of work, kids, problems, etc. I tell you such special days will be the foundation of our stronger relationship. That when we encounter trials and difficulties, just remembering these moments will surely strengthen our commitment to love one another for better or for worse.

In the evening, Louie and I went out to buy food for dinner. It was a good thing that all of us love pasta that we had pesto with grilled chicken and seafood pasta with pizza ala puttanesca plus a bottle of red wine. It was a night of fun and sharing of our lives together. As couple we encourage and help one another with the love and guidance that we received from our Lord Jesus Christ. The night ended with a plan of waking up early to do some workout at the hotel’s gym.

In the following morning, I woke up early to check on the pool and see if I can do few laps before running at the treadmill. Swthrt accompanied me to the pool and took some pictures while I do 30x25m swim. When L&L arrived later, it was time for the treadmill. L&L were regular running buddies at UP every Saturday night. We spent almost an hour at the gym. Afterwards we went to our room to freshen up and get ready for breakfast. It was really a bigtime breakfast, hahaha!

After the very sumptuous breakfast, we again spent the rest of the day in our respective rooms until we checked out at around 1:00 pm. For Swthrt and I, It was a very special moment spent with a very special couple that forever be remembered. God bless you Louie and Lea!

Recovery or what?

It was a wonderful experience to run with such a big race like the KOTR 2008. It’s unfortunate that we have to go home early because JM still had a theater class at 9:30am. We just looked around for a few minutes and have some pictures taken then we went home. In the evening, Swthrt and I decided to ran with friends at UP. There were only few runners around when we arrived there. Probably most of the regular runners at UP are taking their rest after the KOTR race in the morning. For our recovery run, we did 2 rounds (total of 4.4K) easy run of the academic oval. As though it was not enough, we ran again the following day, Sunday. We ran 3 rounds (total of 6.6K) easy run at UP with our friend, Chiqui. We also had an extra round of walking after a taho break. Call it a recovery or whatever, we really had a great time running!

Swthrt and Chiqui during their cooldown