Merrell Adventure Run, 10k, 21k route map!

Hitler Reacts to Tulfo-Santiago Brawl!

Race Sked

One of the few runnings events that I would possibly join..

I'm hoping for a free shuttle service here, and this would be my first trail run kaya excited rin ako!

since katabi lang namin ang San Mateo (Montalban, which is the venue of the 1st adventure run at Wawa Dam), would love to do another trail run

"Nature's Trail Discovery Run" test run (Part 2)

morning fogs suggesting were already at a high altitude area

beautiful view of low altitude clouds

the mighty mountains of the Sierra Madre

the author taking pride in conquering the mountain

little siesta session with other runners

with Sir JazzRunner at the summit

descend mode

Manong with his "panabong", one of the few villages we met along the trail

the aftermath, muddy shoes pero it's worth the adventure nevertheless

Chase runners - Jared, Neil, Mhalot, me and Arthur!

walk back to the village

with gorgeous runners from PinoyFitness

kids sharing their smiles to us!

more group pics from the veterans

Some last minute reminders to the runners before the event..

- Please avail the Shuttle bus options included to the race para worry free kayo during your travel to the area

- Wear warmers especially sa leg, you'll be crossing high cogon grass out there which may injure you

- Since this would be a trail run, prepare to get WET lalo na yung precious shoes niyo

Many thanks to Phimco Sporting events for the invitation to do a test run to the upcoming Nature's Discovery Run! Ang again here are the details of the race..

Nature’s Trail Discovery Run
May 27, 2012 (1st Leg)
San Andres, Tanay, Rizal

Registration starts today. Registration Fees are:
April 16– May 15, 2012
10K (Open to all Filipino) – Php750.00
21K (Open to all Nationalities) – Php950.00

If you register for two (2) you will receive a free souvenir singlet from the past two runs – Health is Wealth and Love a Tree. Giveaway is good while supply lasts.

Registration Promo:
Running Teams can avail of the following promos. Register 5 participants and you get to register 1 more runner for free. A team of 9 members registering for the event can register 3 more runners for free.

Registration Outlets:
Chris Sports SM City North EDSA (Ground Floor)
Chris Sports SM Megamall (2nd Floor, Bldg. B)
Chris Sports SM City Manila
Chris Sports Market! Market! (4th Floor)

A Runner’s Circle

Aloha Hotel
Roxas Blvd. cor. Quirino Ave., Malate, Manila

R.O.X.
Bonifacio High Street, BGC

PIMCO Sporting Events
Tel. (02) 532.1645

Official Closing of Registration: May 15, 2012
-Additional Php200.00 for Transportation
-Free Camping (bring your own camping gear and tent, a day before / during the event)

Inclusion: Race Bib, Finisher Shirts and Medal for all categories

"Nature's Trail Discovery Run" test run

Woke up at around 2.30am from the office break room, went to McDonalds Pioneer at 3.30am, una kong nakita si Mhalot then a couple of veteran runners then came Neil, Arthur and Jared. Mission was a test trail run at Nature's Trail Discovery Run to be held at Barangay San Andres, Tanay, Rizal. Mhalot, Art and I decided to go with Sir Neil's car then sundan nalang namin ang van all the way to Tanay. We took the Marcos Highway route, akala ko nga sa Junction dadaan all the way to Tanay town proper. It was hour ride, during the travel, maraming napagkwentuhan, mga previous race events and other sports experience with my peers.

Then at around 7am, nakarating rin kami sa Barangay San Andres, road was tough, especially na car lang ang gamit ni Neil kaya worried rin kami since pababa ang road and paano kung umulan at mahihirapan kaming umakyat.  Kinalimutan muna namin ang mga possibilities na iyon as soon as we arrived at the area.

San Andres is a barangay of the philippine municipality Tanay in the province Rizal in CALABARZON which is part of the Luzon group of islands. The municipality Tanay with a population of about 94,460 and its 19 barangays belongs to the partly urban areas in the Philippines. San Andres had 510 residents by the end of 2007. (source; PhilippineIslands.ph)

preparation for the run

quick briefing with fellow runners

start of the trail run, good thing tapos nang umulan kagabi and medyo tuyo na ang lupa

forest path all the way to Sungab Cave

Daraetan River crossing, one of the numerous river system that runners will need to pass

majestic view of the rice fields which relieves tiredness during the race

one of the few remote houses along the trail

start of the uphill trek, i mean run

water buffaloes greeted the runners

Sir JazzRunner at my back ^^;

Prep

Natulog lang maghapon, kelangan makabawi ng tulog in preparation for the trail run test ng Nature's Trail run sa Tanay, Rizal, maaga ang pick-up time kaya minabuti ko nang sa office na matulog para malapit lang. Grabeng hassle ng byahe ko sa amin at sobrang traffic sa San Mateo.

Hindi na ako nakahabol sa last trip ng MRT kaya napilitan nalang akong mag bus. Good thing ok naman ang byahe at nakarating rin ako sa office. Usually hindi talaga ako nakakatulog sa breakroom pero himala at naramdaman ko nalang na naka-idlip na pala ako.

Hindi ganun karami ang natutulog dahil nga Saturday night kasi, sarap ng tulog at hindi ko ulit namalayan na 2.30am na pala, marahil bumawi ulit yung katawan ko para fully energize for the trail run.

Two words!

Purpose and meaning. I guess to these two words hung my very core. Take away these and I will be nothing. It is why I fall in love, march through the streets, go to work, and wake up every morning. To these two words lies the foundation of my faith, of my causes and my struggles. You take away meaning and I become relativist. You take away purpose and I become a mere product of evolution and chance.
-If I ask you the same question, what will you answer?, Yas' Cacoethes Scribendi

Back Home..

Although the town looks very familiar, except for the new buildings, businesses, and roads that were built and for some that have been taken down, not having gone home for seven years still made me feel like a total stranger. I rode a tricycle to take me to the house. It was fairly 3 kilometers from the town proper. I can see the rice fields all green and golden brown. Some were ready to be harvested. The sun shining bright brought some warmth on the Saturday morning. The air was fresh. The rustic environment was enough to bring about the nostalgia of my childhood, and growing up in the countryside. Sad and happy memories started rushing through  my mind.  What if I had not dropped out of college and left? What could have been my life then, and what could it be now? Too many questions. But no answer came up. Getting off the trike, I know that I’m finally back home. Seven years after.
-Going Home: Seven Years After, Jared's Supladong Irish

PasPud

Mayo na!

Unang ulan ng Mayo! Blessing ng magandang buwan na papasok. Diligan ang uhaw na lupa.

Nauuso ang ganito!

Delay

Ilang weeks or almost months na akong hindi nakakapag-jogging. Mahirap makabawi pag ganito dahil back from the start na naman ako. Nauunahan ng katamaran at iniisip na kelangan muna ipahinga ang paa kagaya ng sabi ng Rehab Doc. Kelangan paghandaan ang May 27 trail run at sa May 6 naman eh merong visit sa trail na gaganapan. Kelangan this week, makapag simula na ulit, nakabili na naman ako ng heel cushion at hinay hinay lang siguro.

Para sa Cushion

Ginala ang Trinoma at SM North, makahanap lang ng murang heel cushion. Halos LP ang brand at ang mahal niya, around 800-900. Buti nalang at meron akong nakita sa Department Store na cheaper version.

Unhappy

Naruto Shippuden #584

MOlested!

parental guidance lang po, graphic violence/words..

25th Anniversary - "The X-Files"

Heritage City of Vigan (Part 4)

The museum used to be the residence of Floro “Flor” Crisologo and his family. The Crisologo clan is one of the principal families of Vigan and Flor Crisologo was a congressman who worked towards the ratification of the Tobacco Law and the establishment of the Social Security System. On October 18, 1970, Crisologo was standing in a communion line in the Vigan Cathedral when a lone gunman entered and shot him in the head. The assassin escaped during the panic that ensued and the murder remains unsolved to this day, but it is generally believed to have been politically motivated. In memory of Crisologo, his family turned his ancestral home into a museum which maintains the statesman’s memorabilia, with particular focus on an exhibit of items relating to his murder. (Source: WikiPilipinas)

portrait of the late Floro Crisologo on the entrance of the museum

active duty uniform

didn't knew na iba pala ang helmet na ginamit during World War 2 and Vietnam War!

preserved office adorned with plaques and numerous awards and citations during his times

stairs that lead to nowhere, lol!

family

the main room

i was amazed na talagang meron palang ganito at lumalamig daw siya, weh!

the "viewing" room

This museum is the ancestral house and birthplace of priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos. Known as Padre Burgos House, it is one of the notable historic structures of Vigan, the capital of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is a two-story structure located near the Provincial Capitol and close to St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral. It was renovated by the Filipinas Foundation, Inc. and inaugurated on May 3, 1975. In January 1989, a Contract of Lease was executed by the Ilocos Sur Historical and Cultural Foundation, Inc. leasing the memorabilia for 50 years, and turning over the administration to the National Museum. (Source: PhilMuseum)

replica of a galleon during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade

depiction of martyrdom of GomBurZa

the Fall of Tirad Pass, dramatic end

eskapularyos

telephone, Spanish era

"poso"

enjoying "langka" during at our "bisita" to Aunt Patricia's neighbor

Maraming maraming salamat po Tita Patricia and to your kin (sorry forgot to remember their names), for a very warm hospitality, accomodation, transportation and folk information about Vigan. Sobrang hassle-free ng trip namin at wala na kaming problems na na encounter during out stay. Hope to see you again sometime.