Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Dreaming of studying abroad? Check out the StudyWork-Abroad.Com (SWAC) Expo then!



Plugging this event for a blogger friend:

Going abroad to pursue international education is now more accessible & affordable thanks to StudyWork-Abroad.Com

IL Institute StudyWork-Abroad.Com in collaboration with top universities from USA-CANADA-AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND-UK, is offering over 10 million pesos worth of scholarships to deserving Filipinos this 2010.

True to its GLOBAL CAREER, AFFORDABLE ACCESS commitment , it has partnered with universities such as Durham College and Centennial College from Canada; National Technology Institute from New Zealand; Devry University from the USA; and Edinburgh Telford College, Motherwell College and Queen Margaret University from the UK.

“IL Institute StudyWork-Abroad.Com’s long-term vision has always been to provide globalized education and student support services. Through our different programs, the great Filipino dream to go abroad & better their lives is now more possible.” said IL Institute Philippines President Jerry Perez de Tagle

These scholarship opportunities reflect the fundamental principle underpinning StudyWork-Abroad.Com’s vision of empowering Filipinos with the aid of education. It is the engine room of ideas. It revolutionizes opportunity, builds the fabric of societies, and promotes development and fosters the growth of durable institutions.

Representatives from these top universities will be coming to the Philippines this April for the1st Nationwide StudyWork-Abroad.Com (SWAC) Expo which will be the venue where Filipinos can inquire on how they can avail of these scholarship grants.

The SWAC Expo is a free event that will happen in 4 key cities in the Philippines:

April 16 to 18 in Manila at the Podium Mall
April 18 in Cebu at Ayala Mall
April 20 in Baguio at the University of Cordilleras Auditorium
April 21 in Davao at Gaisano Mall.

Aside from International institutions, several local companies will also be present to help enlighten Filipinos on how they can pursue their dream of international education.

To know more about the event and to pre-register, visit StudyWork-Abroad.Com or text/call09228170639.


First 2000 registrants will receive amazing treats during the event proper.

FOLLOW STUDYWORK-ABROAD.COM:

FACEBOOK: Search “StudyWork-Abroad.com”
TWITTER: Twitter.com/ilstdywrkabroad
Website: StudyWork-Abroad.Com

Monday, March 29, 2010

Tambay time/despedida for Bernice...












I've been meaning to post some entries in this blog these past few days, but I've really been swamped with work.

This week is a little less stressful because (almost) everyone's just looking forward to having the four-day break, so I managed to find some time to squeeze in some updates.

Friday night was tambay time with Bernice and some of our friends from Magsaysay. Bernice flies back to the Netherlands this evening, and last Friday was the only time we can see her again. The original plan was for Mel, Noreen, Shy, Carol (who I haven't seen too for a long time) and I to meet Bernice at Trinoma for dinner and coffee.

Just a side note, I'm not a huge fan of Trinoma. I dunno why. It's the bad lighting, the flooring. Hehe! The only section I love there is the one where Powerbooks is.

Anyway, our meeting place was Powerbooks. By 8PM, it was still just me. I guess when one gets older, one's calendar becomes even more toxic. Hehehe! Only Shy and I showed up. Noreen dropped by , but she had to leave immediately to finish scripts for Rubi? Carol was stuck in Tagaytay for her mom's birthday dinner. Mel was drowning in papers at the office for an upcoming audit.

It was still a very fun get-together though. Bernice and I had a fantab dinner at Cyma. One of the nice things I love about hanging out with Bernice is we both want to eat healthy. Hehe! We had an eggplant moussaka and chicken gyro.

By the time we finished dindin, Shy was already in the area. We met up with her and headed to Bigoli for Shy's quick dindin. From Bigoli, we moved to CBTL and spent the next few hours just talking about all sorts of things. Hehe!

Just like our other get-togethers, we were having a really great time that we didn't notice it was already past twelve. We gave each other big hugs and made promises to keep in touch. Thanks to Facebook and email, it wouldn't be too difficult. Hehehe!

After a neverending buhbye, the three of us finally parted ways. I'm a bit sad that Bernice left again. At the same time, I'm extremely happy because her career is flourishing, and she's really going places (figuratively and literally).

Plus, the fact that she is living there is one reason for me to save up and visit Europe, right?

Friday, March 26, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 25 - Your day in great detail

Today was a mix of boring and great.

Nothing spectacular happened during the day. Went about with tasks at work. March and April are kind of busy because of Earth Day celebration. During lunch time, I went out to get some sun (LOL!). No, I went out to do some bank errands. Colleague/friend Engel did the same.

In the evening, I missed spinning class again because I left work around 7. Hitched a ride with Tey to Gold's. Since I was late for spinning, I just attended Reagan's dance class. My mood in class tonight was way better compared to last Tuesday. Afterwards, I did some weights. Before going home, I got myself a papaya and melon shake.

From GG, I walked to the bus station in fron of Makati Stock Exchange. Traffic was pretty bad going home because of all the f-ing trailer trucks. Got home before midnight.

Dead tired. Sleep.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy: Broadway Docu



Here's an interesting documentary that Twitter buddy @DaveSi shared - Show Business: The Road to Broadway.

It's a docu about four musical that fought for the top Tony Awards prizes in the 2004 Broadway season. Quite an interesting season because it was this season that Wicked and Avenue Q came on stage. The docu is a musical feast for any showtunes lover, as it takes the viewer through the conceptualization, casting, rewrites, rehearsals, and opening nights of the two aforementioned musicals, as well as Taboo and Caroline, or Change.

I've downloaded the videos via Youtube and I'll probably watch it this weekend. Woohoo.

15K virgin no more...












I did my first 15K last Sunday. Woohooo!

Originally, I was planning to do my first 15K during Mizuno. But after finding out that The Green Miles will have a 15K, my good friend/running idol I-van convinced me to sign up for the 15K already.

That's what I did. Without much thinking. Haha!

To be honest, I felt I wasn't prepared for the race. I did not get to run the entire week before the race because of some non-work work duties. The duties was every night and it finished quite late.

So come race day, I was a bit nervous. I just told myself that the goal is to cross the finish line, whatever happens. Haha!

Surprisingly, I still managed to finish the race in under two hours. When I checked the time as I was about to cross the finish line, it was 1:52.

But I must say that I was really dead tired by then. The sun was already up by the time I got back to Macapagal Ave. And I had to stop several times to walk (briskly) because I was just beat.

Everything changed though once I caught sight of the finish line. I gathered all the energy left and ran for it. I was just really happy to have finished the entire thing. Woohoo!

The Green Miles Run was quite an experience. Several learnings for the organizers I guess. Congratulations though for being successful in making the race happen. It was my first time to run along Roxas Blvd., and let's just say that I would still choose the Fort and the dreadful Mckinley Hills route on any given day. Even if Roxas Blvd is waaaayyy friendlier to the knees. Hehe!

Moving on, we headed to the Legazpi Sunday market afterwards for breakfast. I-van and I met up with JC, who did the Run for Home race. We spent a good three hours people watching. Hmm, Sunday mornings at the Legazpi market are interesting. Hahaha!

We parted ways a little after 11AM. I was planning to go home after the treat for my feet, but instead found myself heading to Rockwell to meet up with Twitter friends for How to Train Your Dragon.

In the evening, it was Avenue Q with altar-boy-days friend Dennis.

Yeah, I know. Lagarista lang. Hahaha!

But even if it was a verrry tiring day, it was still fantab. Woohoo!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 23 — A YouTube Vid: Chanel Commercial



This has to be one of the best (and probably, one of the most expensive) TVCs to be made ever.

TVC for Chanel No. 5 featuring Nicole Kidman and Rodrigo Santoro. Directed by Baz Luhrrman.

It’s brilliant. A movie told in what, two minutes?! F-ing amazing.

Thank heavens for Youtube.

Monday, March 22, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 22 — A website: www.10mm.ph



www.10mm.ph

That's the web addy of the Earth Day 10 Million Movement campaign.

The 10 Million Movement is part of the Earth Day 2010 celebration. (In case you don't know yet, April 22 is Earth Day.) The 10MM movement aims to gather ten million commitments for our planet from Filipinos.

The website is part of our support for DENR and Earth Day Network Philippines. If I'm not mistaken, manual registration of your pro-environment commitment may also be done via the 10MM Signup Booths at SM Malls.

For easier registration, just go to the website and sign up. Please tell your family and friends about it, too.

Yeah, I sort of became a "green" advocate thanks to my work.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 20 — A recipe: Chicken Parmigiana



I’m a huge pasta fan. One of my favorites is chicken parmigiana. :)

Here’s the recipe for it via Foodnetwork.com.

Ingredients:
* Chicken Parmigiana
* Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence
* 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 2 bay leaves
* 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
* 1/2 bunch fresh basil leaves
* 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, drained and hand-crushed
* Pinch sugar
* Pinch red pepper flakes
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 1 tablespoon water
* 1 cup dried plain bread crumbs
* 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling
* 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
* 2 teaspoons garlic powder
* 1 (8-ounce) ball fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
* 1 pound spaghetti pasta, cooked al dente

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Coat a saute pan with olive oil and place over medium heat. When the oil gets hazy, add the onions, garlic, and bay leaves; cook and stir for 5 minutes until fragrant and soft. Add the olives and some hand-torn basil, reserve the rest of the basil for finishing the chicken. Carefully add the tomatoes (nothing splashes like tomatoes), cook and stir until the liquid is cooked down and the sauce is thick, about 15 minutes; season with sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Lower the heat, cover, and keep warm.

Get the ingredients together for the chicken so you have a little assembly line. Put the flour in a shallow platter and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. In a wide bowl, combine the eggs and water, beat until frothy. Put the bread crumbs on a plate, add the 1 cup parmesan, chopped parsley, and garlic powder Season with salt and pepper and stir with a fork until thoroughly combined.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high flame in a large oven-proof skillet. Lightly dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, and then dip them in the egg wash to coat completely, letting the excess drip off, then dredge in the bread crumbs. When the oil is nice and hot, add the cutlets and fry for 4 minutes on each side until golden and crusty, turning once.

Ladle the tomato-olive sauce over the chicken and arrange the mozzarella on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan, and remaining basil. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. Serve hot with spaghetti.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 20 — A hobby of yours: Collecting stuff

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Uhm, I guess one of my hobbies is collecting. Thanks to being a packrat amd a sentimental freak, I collect all sorts of things - old issues of Vogue, Out, GQ; nice bottles from favorite get-together with friends; magnets from places i've visited; magnets from places my friends have visited (wahaha!); books - particularly, queer fic and chick lit (haha! so shoot me!).

And oh, oh! Since I found myself to be in an industry where I get to meet popular peeps, I sort of started a "Fans Kita" collection. Hahaha! Some of my favorite Fans Kita photos are the ones with the late Pres. Cory Aquino,  with National Artists Arturo Luz and Mauro Malang, with fave artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho, with film director/actor Quentin Tarantino, with PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio. Hehehe! I'm still on the quest for a Sharon Cuneta pic. Seriously. Haha! Can you say OGT?!

Friday, March 19, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 19 — A talent of yours





Jeez, I'm really embarrassed to post this, but I can't think of any right now. Haha!

Uhm, if there's one thing I actually look forward to every Tuesday and Thursday night, it's my dance class at the gym.

We have the best instructor. His name is Reagan, and he used to be a member of the Philippine All Stars. He was part of the team that won the 2008 World Hip-Hop Dance Competition. He's really, really good. But the best thing about the guy is he's super down-to-earth and really nice.

Anyway, I've been attending his class for more than a year now, and it's always a happy time for me and the rest of the class. The class is always, always full. If you want to have a spot there, you have to be sure to get there early. Haha!

I'm happy to say that I've never injured myself or any other person for that matter. Hahaha! So that probably means I'm doing something right.

Thursday night date with Bernice and Carlo...




Good friend Bernice is in town, but only for two weeks. Huhu!

She was in Bangkok to attend a rountable discussion, and since Manila was just three hours away, she decided to come and visit. After her brief stay here, she's back to the Netherlands.

I left work early yesterday to meet up with her. I was supposed to leave at 3, but ended up leaving 30 minutes later because the phone wouldn't stop ringing (and I wouldn't stop picking up) and emails kept coming in (and I kept replying). Hehe!

Anyway, I finally left the office and made my way to Gayway...errr... Gateway for our meetup. (On a side note, Araneta admin should consider changing the mall's name. The mall is homo central. LOL! Guess which mall is lesbo central. Hehe!)

Moving on, Bernice and I met up at Fully Booked. We gave each other a big hug and then came the start of the endless "kamustahan." We started with seeing Alice in Wonderland. She hasn't watched the film. I've seen it, but not in 3D. So even if I slept through most parts of the movie, I still agreed to watch it. It's a good thing I did because I don't recall ever seeing the battle scene between the Red Queen and the White Queen. Hahaha! I still fell asleep a couple of times though.

After the movie, we looked for a place for dinner. Initially we were thinking of Volare (which has changed its name). But when we got there, the place was hosting a private party. Ugh! Our next option was nearby Cafe Adriatico. It turned out to be a good choice because Bernice got her Pinoy overload there. Haha!

From Cafe Adriatico, we moved to the neighboring Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. She ordered her usual genmaicha. I had my caramel macchiato. It was just like our usual Sunday afternoon get-together back when she was still here in Manila. The highlight of our meetups would be the exchange of thoughts on all sorts of things.

Last night was made even more interesting because Zsazsa Zaturnnah's dad, Carlo, was also in Coffee Bean. I haven't seen the guy for the longest time. It was really, really great seeing him. And I was ultra happy that two of my favorite people on the planet have met each other.

We spent a couple of hours talking about stuff. One topic was about being single. All three of us are, dammit! Haha! Bernice shared that lately, she's been "preparing" the guy for her by articulating her thoughts on her ideal man. For her, it's not enough to just sit down and wait for a guy. One has to know the qualities of the guy that she wants, verbalize it and hopefully, that will draw the guy - whoever he is - towards the person. I told her it was interesting and I never thought of "preparing" that way.

I then told her that what I was doing was the opposite and maybe that's where I'm wrong. While Bernice has been preparing her guy, I, on the other hand, am preparing for the possibility of a single life. It's not being resigned to the thought. It's being practical and grounded, I told her. But her thoughts was quite new to me and I found that to be really good.

Then there was also talk of finding the guy that you deserve vs. the guy that deserves you. Initially, we agreed that both ideas are the same. After a couple of seconds, we realized that they aren't. Haha!

While we chatted, Carlo did some of his drawings for a website. Bernice watched Carlo draw. I watched the two of them, and I also watched the people passing by. I have to say may future ang Gayway, ah. Hahaha!

Bernice and I left Carlo to his drawings around 11PM. I had to head home because of work today. Bernice had to email some work to the Netherlands. Lucky her, we're seven hours ahead so she could still meet the deadline. Hehe!

It was a fantab evening, that I could say. Not even that 8PM phone call I got was enough to ruin my night. Hahaha!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy



Not much time to do a long post, so I'm just sharing with you one of my fave songs right now.

Telephone - Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce.

Is it everyone's new fave right now though? Hehehe!

But in particular, I love the remixes. My current fave remix is the Alphabeat Remix. I can see it being played in spinning class or in Bed. Haha!

I'm sharing a secret with you. I get all the fantab remixes here.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 17 - An art piece: Anita Ho's Flower Vendors



This has to be one of my favorite works of one of the artists I really love.

I forgot the title though of this masterpiece (Flower Vendors, I think.). Hehe!

I like it because from what I know, Anita Ho only has a few paintings that have men (or in this case, boys) as a subject. Except for the portraits of her grandsons, most of her work that I’ve seen are of women in the countryside.

One reason I also like this particular work is because it reminds me of my siblings. No, we aren’t flower vendors, nor do we love flowers. Hehe! It’s the number of subjects in the paintings - three. And that’s how many we are - there’s me, and my two younger bros.

The painting was used for the 2006 Christmas greeting card of the company I used to work for. The photo above is the greeting card taken with my cellphone, so please forgive the poor quality of the picture. Hehe!

If I remember correctly, this painting is now with Anton San Diego. Lucky him. One day, I’ll save enough money to buy it. Hehehe! Wishful thinking.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 16 - A song that makes you cry (or nearly): Ready for a Fall - PJ Olsson



Since I mentioned Dawson's Creek in yesterday's challenge, I thought I'd post DC-related again today. Hehehe!

Here's one of my fave songs from the DC soundtrack.

--------
You sit there in my shadows
And you call it your relief
Don't be the one with bad eyes for
The things that I could see
(Don't give me that)

The darkness has no armor
Need protection from the air
High hopes through time passing
When I see I want you there

[Chorus]
I can't believe
You're the one for me
If it was this easy to find you
I should be ready for a fall
I should be ready for a fall

Now my wonders rally
Around the person I once was
Like a bird that I've been helping
Hope you're healed and strong
You never know when you might have to fly

[Pre-Chorus]
Where will you go after me
Where will you go after I set you free
And I don't know you from a page in my book
Though I should
Though I should

[Chorus]

Where will you go after me
Where will you go after I set you free
And I don't know you from a page in my book
Though I should

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 15 - Fanfic: Jack & Tobey



I’m not a big fan of fanfic. Hehe! If I did have more time in my hands, I’m sure I would be reading much of it though. Hehe!

Anyway, the last fanfic I can remember was that of my favorite Dawson’s Creek characters - Jack and Tobey.

Good ones. :)

Sunday, March 14, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 14 - Nonfiction Book: Front Row



I don't really like nonfiction, and I'm sure I've read a few but the only one that comes to mind right now is the unauthorized biography of US Vogue editrix Anna Wintour.

What an OGT, huh?! I know! Haha!

Anyway, when this book came out, I was really eager to get my hands on a copy. I didn't buy one. Instead, the ex promised to get me one as a present from his trip to I already forgot.

It was a good read because it gave people, whatever their opinions of Anna are, a glimpse of her life. And despite all the negative things written about/spoken of her, I still like her because of her work. I'm quite sure I'm going to get criticized for writing that. Hehe! But, to each his own, I guess.

She has always intrigued me. Her and other women of power - Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld, Rosemarie Bravo, Jane Goodall, Angelina Jolie, Mother Teresa, and so on.

I dunno. There is really something about women of power that draws me to them.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 13 - Fictional Book: Rainbow Boys series



The Rainbow Series is one of my favorite queer fic.

Several Christmases ago, I received the Rainbow Boys title as a present. I completely loved the book. It was a book I wished I was able to read back when I was still in high school. The heroes of the story - Kyle, Jason and Nelson - are very easy to like.

Anyway, I was also able to get my hands on Rainbow High at NBS, I think. Just like Rainbow Boys, it was another title that I liked and enjoyed reading.

Rainbow Road was a present from an old friend. The copy I have is extra special because my friend got author Alex Sanchez to sign it. Woohooo!!!

I wish these books were available locally.

One day, I'm going to open an LGBT bookstore a la A Different Light. Hehe!

Friday, March 12, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 12 — Whatever post: I like quirky stuff










If you see my office cubicle, you'll notice that I have a lot of items that are not really office-related.

The ones above are some examples. Hehe!

I've realized that I like cute, quirky items. Haha! Actually, it was my friends who noticed it.

I dunno. I just really like these mostly small items, and more often than not, I find them by surprise. Either that or they're given to me.

One favorite store to visit for stuff that you don't need but you just gotta have it is Dimensione. Hehehe! Everytime I visit the store, there is always something there that catches my eye. Hahaha!

That's where I got Bruce and Johnny. Hehehe! They're meant to be used as bookends, but they ended up adding more testosterone to my desk. Haha! Most recently, I got this giant "Glue" tissue holder. Hahaha! Liking it a lot.

Zap, the PAL pilot teddy, I "adopted" on flight back to Manila from Saigon during a trip last year. The moment I saw the teddy, I just gotta have it. Hehe! Don't ask why I named him Zap. The other bear, Ben, was from this Singapore store I love - New Urban Male. I've been looking for a rainbow bear for so long and on my visit to NUM, I found lots and lots of rainbow bears by the window. Yey!

The magnets are souvenirs from my trips. But a lot were also given as gifts by friends from their trips abroad. I super love the magnets from my friend Bernice and the Wicked magnet from Roy. :)

What else? Team Manila is also a good place to visit for unique items. I got the mug two years ago I think? And it's still sitting nicely on my desk.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 10 — A photo of you taken recently




Uhm, this has to be one of my recent fave pics. Hehe! It was taken during a trip to Calatagan after an office team planning in Tagaytay.

I dunno. We were walking along the cliff. It was past 4 in the afternoon. The sound of the waves crashing. The afternoon sun which always looks beautiful outside of Manila (Haha!). The panorama that surrounded us.

It just seemed like the perfect backdrop for an asana. Wahaha! I've been attending yoga classes for more than six months now, but this was the first time I did something like this outside of the yoga studio. Hehehe!

Thankfully, colleague/friend Judee was game enough (and patient enough) to take my photos. Haha! It was difficult because the ground was rocky and therefore, uneven. Hehehe! It was difficult to ground myself. Hahaha! And I'm sure the pose (dancer's pose) needs so much improvement (though I like it). But out of the so and so number of shots, at least there was this one shot which I think is decent enough to be posted. Hehe! The only thing I adjusted was the lighting. Hehehe!

So there.

Namaste.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago



Here's a photo of me taken some time in 1997, I think.

It's me with my Orcom blockmates from UP. I think we were waiting for our Humanities professor. I still remember this room. It was our little Little Theater. It's 302, I think. It's the room beside the Department of Arts and Communication of Rizal Hall! Haha!

Back then, digital cameras were still expensive. What was still "in" back then were the cameras that used the APS (?) film, I think. Haha! So if we had the urge to camwhore, it's either someone should have brought a camera with film (and hope that the photos will turn out just fine after processing. Either that or we go to a studio (Great Image!!!) to have our photos taken. Hehehe!

Gawd, it's hard to believe that it has already been more than 10 years since we last walked the halls of our revered building in Padre Faura. And most of us have changed. Some are married. Others are with kids. Not too long ago, we were worrying how to pass our Math 11 exams. Now, we're worrying about how our kids will pass their Math exam. Hahaha!

What's funny, because I almost did not go to UP. It was either UP or the seminary. Seriously. I thought I didn't pass and I was ready to join the Claretians. Then I found out I did and my father put his foot down. The rest as they say is history.

In addition to the lessons that I have learned from my respected professors, one other important part of my UP life was the friendships I built with my blockmates. Up to now, I am still in touch with almost all of them. Thanks to Facebook, we became even closer even if some of us are already living in other parts of the world.

I got to say that the four years in UP were among the best in my life. I've learned so much from that university, and most of who I am today is because of what I learned there.

Salamat, UP Naming Mahal!

30-Day Tumblr Challenge: Day 9 — A photo that you took




The photo above was taken during my trip to Cambodge last year.

I've been dreaming of visiting the Angkor Wat for the longest time, and I was fortunate enough to have had the resources that allowed me to visit the phenomenal place last year.

What made it extra special was I was also celebrating my 30th birthday that month. I was in Cambodge around the first week of October. My birthday is October 22, so it was an early birthday celebration.

No words can describe the Angkor complex. Just standing there in the middle of the temples is the greatest. And realizing that the majestic structures were built by people at a time when there was no machinery like the ones we have now makes it even more stupendous.
That's it. :)

Monday, March 8, 2010

Unilab Run: 2nd 10K for 2010




















I ran the Unilab United Wellness Run yesterday and it was super!

That's my second 10K for 2010, and I'm really glad that I did much better compared to my Condura run. Haha!

My time for Condura was around 1:20. Yesterday, I made sure I checked the time board when I reached the finish line and I clocked in at 1:13:45 or so. Not bad, huh?! Still, I want to do a sub-60 for a 10K. Hay.

What made the difference? I didn't bring a camera with me. Wahaha!

Friend I-van also joined the race (actually, it was him who got me to sign up) and he did the 21K (again)! Woohoo! Galing! We met up after he crossed the finish line and then we went around the area to check what gimmicks the Unilab people prepared.

A Wellness Village was set up with mini-villages - Men's Health, Women's Health, General Adult Health, Senior's Health and each one had their own engaging activities that promoted wellness. Hehe! Together with Ivan's friends, we went to the Ceelin photo booth and had our souvenir photos taken. Haha!

There were also a lot of freebies given away. We just didn't get any because we didn't get the Village Passport that we were supposed to use for claiming stuff. Oh well, it was okay.

The race was well attended. It's not as crowded as the Century Tuna Superbods Run (that's what I heard). And there were sports personalities/celebrities present that drew the attention of the crowd. Hehe! Some of those who ran were Aga Muhlach, Carlos Agassi, Rovilson Fernandez (or his lookalike?), and Akafellas DJ Myke. During the post-event program, I saw John Lloyd Cruz, Diether Ocampo, Dingdong Dantes, Ryan Agoncillo. Sports celebs Akiko Thompson, Monsour del Rosario, Norman Black and the Alvin Patrimonio were also there.

When I saw from afar that Alvin Patrimionio was in the event, I really forced myself to walk to Ivan's car to get the camera and walk all the way back to the event venue just so I can have my photo with the guy. As mentioned in a previous blog post, I've been a fan of the Captain for the longest time. I've waited more than a decade to see him up close. There was no way I was going to let this photo op pass. Hahaha!

Going to the run itself, big congratulations to the Unilab group for having a well-organized run!

There were large kilometer markers, directional signs and other directional paraphernalia to guide the runners. Marshals were deployed throughout the course. Water and 100 Plus stations were located at almost every kilometer. Thank gawd for this! Haha!

The race started on time! Perfect. FF instructors led the runners in doing pre-run stretches. Proper race briefing and countdown were also done.

There was no line at the finish line! This was one of the major mistakes at the Condura Run. There was a long queue at the finish line so when you actually get to cross the line, you'd have already spent several minutes standing and waiting for your bib to be tagged and collected. The result? More minutes on your recorded run time.

The claiming of loot bags was also very easy, because several tents were setup for each distance category. No long lines and the claiming was fast.


All in all, the race/run seemed to have gone smoothly and without any major issues. So congratulations, congratulations to Unilab! :)

P.S. The only thing I'm wondering about now is how come my name isn't on the race results released just this morning. So is I-van's. Nyerks, what happened?