There are hundred and one reasons why I absolutely love the place. From the finest restaurants to cheap treats food stalls. From the hottest bars to lovely hang outs. But let me just list down the top five reasons why I do so.

• #5 – Three-wheeled E3 Vehicle

While everybody else are used in riding the ever famous tricycle(well, at least here at the Philippines), people that work or going from one place to another inside the Global City are using this as one of their transportation aside from The Fort Bus. This vehicle offers convenience plus it is really enjoying especially for the first timers. Why? Aside from its multi-colored exterior, the fare is unbelievably economical and the engine is eco-friendly (It is battery operated and does not require fuel.).

• #4 – S & R Grocery

I am really into eating BIG treats and I love how New York Pizza and Burger offer big and chunky chows. I must say, their pizza, calzone and burgers are the best! I love bottomless drinks and good thing they have it there. For just paying a cup you will be able to have variety of drinks (Imagine filling up your cup with slurpee and fill it up with another flavor after finishing the first one, nice!). The downside is that the grocery requires a membership card so you would be able to get in.

• #3 – Serendra

I am not born with silver spoon in my mouth, yes I do not own a unit nor knows anyone living in there. But, there are lots of things to enjoy at Serendra like the fine dining restos, most especially Conti’s pastries (mmmm…turtle pie!). The fountains is a big plus attraction for everyone.

• #2 – Market! Market!

I am really into dirt-cheap clothes and shoes and a big SALE aficionado. In the past, I am really brand conscious but who wouldn’t adjust their lifestyles during recession days? This is where I usually bought tank tops and vintage tees. Plus, you would be able to find a lot of A&F, Roxy and Hollister overruns, of course at low prices!

• #1 – Bonifacio High Street

Aside from the high range price stores in High Street, one thing that everybody would absolutely love here is the environment. Many photography enthusiasts are going there along with their tripod and handy SLRs. The developers of the place offer different ways of shopping here in High Street. We usually go to malls that are fully air-conditioned, but here in High Street they let you feel like you’re shopping at the same time strolling along the park. Many appreciate the place at night, for it showcases fancy lights. During Christmas season there are figures that lights up (remember the big bear?).

Now, I want to hear it from you. What’s your story?

]]> http://mdjsuperstar.com/2009/11/11/smilewiches-specially-packaged-to-retain-warm-feelings/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:41:29 +0000 MDJ Superstar http://mdjsuperstar.com/2009/11/11/smilewiches-specially-packaged-to-retain-warm-feelings/

The spate of devastating typhoons that hit our country has left thousands of families homeless, struggling to survive.  And while there has been an unprecedented outpouring of support from both individuals and aid organizations, the long road to recovery has only just begun.

If you’re hungry to help, join Operation Smilewich, a project that aims to provide them with not just food but hope. For a very minimal fee, participants can donate Smilewiches, mini-sandwiches with personalized notes that let the typhoon victims know that someone is looking out for them.

You’ll get to create, write and design these personalized notes yourself on the spot at the Smilewich Factory. One of my favorite features is the virtual “Design An Avatar” meme on the Facebook page. You could turn something like this…

…into this…

Come to Bonifacio High Street, Taguig on November 14 from 9am to 5pm and stop by the Smilewich Factory. For those who can’t come, you can also send a pledge to smilewich@gmail.com, and the Smilewich crew will pack the sandwiches in your name.

For those on Facebook, join the Smilewich group right now and get a head start on the fun.

It’s a simple gesture, but one that will hopefully go a long way in feeding their spirits.

This event was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Kraft Eden Cheese, Bonifacio High Street and The Philippine Red Cross. All proceeds will go to the Philippine National Red Cross.

Other than great-tasting food, enticing ambiance, impeccable service, location and figures on the menu, my wife and I always look for family-friendliness in any food place.

Because we love our Kindergarten son, Gabby so dearly, he’s our topmost priority of course, particularly in choosing a place where we can chow down;  either in a  turo-turo, a fastfood joint or a restaurant in hotels or somewhere, there should always be something for Gabby to munch and/or to keep him busy.  

Before heading to the Century Corned Tuna Bloggers’ Cook Off at The Stock Market where I was invited to be one of the foodie-judges, we had our late lunch at TEXAS ROADHOUSE GRILL in Bonifacio High Street last Saturday.  It was our first time to eat there and you know our expectations.

We’re really really ready to grab a bite at something for it was past one in the afternoon already.  As we’re quickly ushered in to our table; we immediately browsed the menu and we’re offered dried peanuts as appetizers while waiting.  Luckily, not too long after we ordered, the cowboy and cowgirl wait staffs of Texas Roadhouse Grill brought to our table these…

WILD CHEESE FRITTERS, PhP 200 but we got it for FREE because we have a coupon stapled at their flyer valid until 15 November. KIDS also EAT FREE every weekend at Texas Roadhouse Grill but since we availed of this promo already; we only got one freebie.  No worries, for cheese sticks are one of Gabby’s favorites.  It’s a bunch of fried mozzarella sticks in marinara sauce.  It’s a really good starter!

While Gabby was enjoying his wild cheese fritters, Tina had this…SWEET SOY MARLIN, PhP 385+.  It’s a great serving of grilled Blue Marlin drizzled with melted garlic butter, served with Texas rice and fresh veggies.  I, of course tasted what’s on Tina’s  plate and like her, I was amazed at how they grilled the fish into almost perfection!  It was so flavorful I almost forgot it wasn’t my plate, LOL One thing that I like best with most restaurants is when they serve freshly blanched veggies that they cut and sliced themselves.  I am so partial to those who try to avoid using instant corn and carrots that are readily available at most supermarkets.

It was definitely a late lunch for us without red meat because I also chose seafood to pig-out.SHRIMP and SALMON SKEWERS, PhP 420+ .  Three skewers of juicy shrimp and salmon, grilled and seasoned with Roadhouse herbs and spices. Served on a bed of Texas rice and fresh veggies.  The cowboy-server was so compelling that their dishes are best served with sauteed mushrooms, so I requested an add-on; but little that I know it’ll cost me PhP 95+, a  price that’s equivalent to 3 cans of button mushrooms already!  Ayos lang,  it really complemented my plate well. 

If you’re a frequent reader of my posts, you know by now that I do love almost anything with shrimps. I like it buttered, steamed and yes, grilled.  This plate of shrimps and salmons + veggies and lemon butter sauce was my HAPPINESS last weekend! It may be pricey yes, but a sure treat to someone who likes seafood so much.

Of course, a better way to cap a nice meal is to have a sweet ending.

Gabby’s choice for our dessert-to-share :   COWBOY CHOCOLATE CAKE, PhP 220+. This is described in their menu as the most decadent chocolate cake in the West. Rich, moist chocolate cake; you’d ask for more! It’s topped with vanilla-flavored ice cream coated with melted chocolate. It was so heavenly! (that my wife told me its price sky-rocketted to 7th heavens! She meant was there are some who offered almost the same kind of dessert for less)  :D  Good thing about this was the fact that Gabby liked it.

The place is cozy; we like the  tavern look made up of wooden planks and swaying doors to the kitchen and toilets. One side of the resto has the bar where one can enjoy a good drink while watching a nice play at their flat screen TV. 

The wait staffs clad in plaid long-sleeved shirts with scarves and in boots were commendable for being courteous and smiley.

We dined there at Texas Roadhouse Grill with other families who were also enjoying their weekend.  It’s enough proof that it’s a good place not only to hang out with friends but a venue where wholesome family fun can be enjoyed.

————————————–

TEXAS ROADHOUSE GRILL, Bldg 1 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.  Tel # (63-2) 856-1547 / 856-2499.  Other branch at Ruby Road, El Pueblo Real de Manila, Ortigas, Pasig City. Tel # (63-2) 635-6715.  

It was the kids’ semestral break 2 weeks ago and I took it as an opportunity to get myself used to waking up early everyday to run. Because of my spotty running schedule, I found it difficult to wake up at 5 a.m. with any sort of consistency which led to … well, a spotty running schedule. On regular schooldays, I would start my day by 6 a.m. so that I could eat breakfast, get dressed and be out of the house by 7 a.m. to take my daughter to school on time. With the kids on holiday, I could afford to leave the house at a later hour which meant my body clock could adjust gradually to an earlier wake up time. For that week, I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and ran every day!

Well almost. Jun C and I aborted a long run at the Fort on the Saturday Typhoon Santi hit the country. Despite the strong winds, the felled trees, lamp posts, and other wind strewn debris, I drove down to Bonifacio High Street and waited for Jun at the parking lot behind ROX. I could feel the car being rocked by the strong gusts of air but running during a storm was nothing new to me. When Jun arrived, I was adamant that we push through but as we cautiously made our way down 5th Avenue, we witnessed the extent of the damage and the dangers posed to us by the storm. We finally decided to turn back when we saw a a motorcycle that lost control as the wind slammed into it. The winds had gotten stronger and we could no longer run as we were met with hard rain and resistance. We used buildings to shield us momentarily from the elements until we finally made it back to our cars. Glad to have survived the tempest, we simply continued our long run the next day.

Last week, the semestral break ended. Having adapted to getting up at 5:30 a.m., I began setting the alarm 30 minutes earlier which would give me an hour to run and still be on time to bring my daughter to school. Despite the resumption of my hectic schedule, I managed to run again almost every day.

It feels good to settle back into a familiar rhythm and within a week or so I am ready to dive right into a new training program.

Chicken and pork barbeque combo at Umma

I’ve dined in numerous Korean restos back in the States—particularly in Omi Udon and Charlie Kang’s that serve the best bulgogi in East Lansing, Michigan. For a year or so, I’ve lived with my Korean friends and have tried a variety of Korean dishes from a simple egg-drop soup, to the more complicated bibimbap—all home cooked! 

Umma’s, in The Fort Strip, however is my first ever attempt to dine at a Korean restaurant in the Philippines. I actually find it a pretty cozy place, what with their wooden chairs that remind me of the tables and chairs during my preschool days. The interior looks similar to the dining room you get to see in just about every Korean drama—not to mention that their flower pieces almost looked real. Their food servers and staff are very friendly—they take time to really explain what’s in it for every dish you ask them. I give them two thumbs up for being very prompt that we don’t even have to do a follow up.

Their menu is also quite impressive and affordable—considering that it is located close to other restaurants that are all too posh and upscale. Their kimchi stew at 220.00 pesos looks promising! At 150.00 pesos, you can already enjoy four sticks of barbeque—a little bland tasting for my palette, but the kimchi complements it well. We also tried their chicken katsu, which I really loved just because it’s fried, but still very moist and tender. The rice served with every meal is just the size of an ice cream scoop so make sure to ask for round two!

I’ve actually had a hard time using the steel chopsticks, and it’s already after I’m done eating that I realized I could have asked for the conventional spoon and fork—but still, it was a great dinner—it reminds me how much I miss my friend’s cooking, it reminds me how much I loved watching Korean dramas, it reminds me just how much I love sit down dinners with friends.

All in all, 3.7 stars.

If you must know, my family and I have been eating CENTURY TUNA for decades now. Personally, it’s one of those canned goods I like on my sandwich, or as simple as rice toppings and appreciate it more on some dishes. I like my Century tuna flakes or chunks in brine, oil, water, hot and spicy and their flavored variants of Mechado, Bicol Express and the like. So when this brand came out with their newest innovation, adding to their line of products a few weeks back, I was one of those many who became so curious of how it’s going to taste like.

I love corned beef particularly a local brand and Century tuna a lot like I love eating; and I honestly never thought that these two can make a great fusion and can transform any instant dining into a healthier experience and a little more edgy until they introduced CENTURY CORNED TUNA! 

Saturday, 07 November ‘09  – I went with my wife, Tina and our 5-year-old son, Gabby to THE STOCK MARKET (the restaurant, not the stock market we all know! It’s called as such because it’s where Del Monte showcases its stock of products from salad dressings to fruit juices etc.) at Bonifacio High Street in Fort, Global City in Taguig City for the CENTURY CORNED TUNA BLOGGERS’ COOK OFF.

We were served with these plates and a choice of iced tea or lemonade…The sandwich and the pasta was made better with what else but Century Corned Tuna. 

So did I cook? Did I participate in the ala Iron-Chef-Bloggers’ Cook Off? I was fortunate to be invited via e-mail last week as one of the (self-proclaimed) foodies and food bloggers to this event (Yes, this blog remains to be about my family and our adventures beyond dining!).  My participation was upgraded to the next level when I was asked (via e-mail again) if I can sit as one of the…ehem,  judges.   Who says doctors &/or educators can’t be best food tasters  critics ? We also have our own discriminating palates, LOL!   Needless to say, I obliged. 

The contest was lively hosted by celebrities JM Rodriguez and QTV QUICKFIRE Chef-Mom Rosebud Benitez (my family is a fan of her cooking show).  

Here are the ingredients that the bloggers had to include, but not necessarily all, as they were tasked to prepare an appetizer and an entree per team.

While the food bloggers in Team A and Team B were busy preparing for their dishes… 

my name was called by the hosts as one of the GAME participants!  C’mmon, can you spot me ?   

While I was busy guessing the condiment as we taste it blind-folded, our adorable son, Gabby was busy too posing for the cam   Isn’t he the cutest 5-year-old kid?  You cannot agree less and I cannot blame genetics, hahaha! 

My fellow foodie-bloggers made sure that their pasta was cooked al dente!  I’m no chef but I follow my own rule of  no-cooking-beyond-ten-minutes to make it pasta-perfect!  It usually works.

While waiting for their contest-entries, my co-judge, Ariel was so generous to take our pic with the 2009 Century Tuna Superbod Model Winners…(papasa na din ba kaming Tuna models? hehehe )

On with the judging thing… Team A and their starter…

Team A’s appetizer was canape made of soft white bread topped with Century Corned Tuna on slices of tomato with asparagus.  Their main dish was…Fusilli in olive oil highlighted by the main ingredient plus tomatoes and parmesan.  

On the other table was Team B with their starter…

It was a salsa made of….pears! and pita tortilla with Century Corned Tuna filling ala quesadilla… and their entree was the bomb itself!  

Tagliatelle in olive oil topped with the main ingredient, asparagus and chopped almonds.  Believe it or not,  it was delicious!  Now, can you guess who won?

Judging was damn easy; given a set of criteria and my own gastronomic instincts, I believe I was fair enough for the two teams.   It was a unanimous decision actually. And it was fun doing it

They’ve proved that they’re not only good on food blogging but knows culinary as well.  And they did their best dishes with Century Corned Tuna!

There was a dinner buffet after the contest but we beg off as my family and I were still full. After I was given a token of  box of 6 cans of Century Tuna Bangus Fillet Spanish-Style Gourmet, I thanked the people who invited me and politely exit to Timezone and Starbucks.

Sarap itong Century Bangus fillet! Try it too! I’ve never enjoyed bangus like this before.

 Have you tried CENTURY CORNED TUNA already ?  Grocery shelves are running out of stocks. 

———————————–

Thank you to the management of Century Corned Tuna and all the people behind this event particularly Mr. Christopher Santos (not my relative)  for inviting me here. Salamat !

They say there are only two things certain in this world,death and taxes. I worked with taxes before and up to now I can feel it’s presence every payday but with death? “I’ve never given much thought as to how I would die…”, this is the opening line of my favorite book, Twilight. Just like Bella, I’ve never given much thought as to how I would die. Death will certainly come, it’s only the timing of which that is uncertain, even the best doctors can’t stop it from coming, they can only hold it bay, for God knows how long.
It feels strange writing this entry while waiting for my ride home. But what’s more strange is what made me write these things.

As the old cliche goes, Life is short. I’m a self confessed hypochondriac and today I’m wishing that I am just being such. I can’t imagine a 40 year-old me ‘though I look a lot like my mom, I don’t know why, I just can’t or maybe simply because I won’t reach that age. I’ve always felt that something is inexplicably wrong but I didn’t pay that much attention to it not until today when I experienced it’s dangerous implications. All of a sudden, I understood why Izzie (Grey’s Anatomy) doesn’t want to tell her friends much more her mom, that she’s sick and why she refused treatment at first. Telling them will surely change things and undergoing treatment will mean a lot of do’s and dont’s. Telling them is tantamount to surrendering your normal life something that I don’t want to happen. There are still a lot of things I want to do, I like to go to Paris and have a view of Europe from the top of Eiffel tower, I want to write more, I want to make a mark on the business world, I want to wear a Vera Wang wedding gown and I want to see my mini me. So, no, I’m not going to the doctor, I don’t to want to curtail the normalcy of my life. I want to wake up in the morning preparing for my 8-hour job, chase the train and take out of town trips on weekends. Maybe, that sounds stupid but I don’t think there’s a cure for this, either way death will come and take it’s toll. So let me obtain that license, wear that dress and those stilettos, stroll at Bonifacio high, have coffee at UCC and feel the Boracay sand on my toes,let me enjoy a normal life.

Writing these makes my eyes mist but this is the best way I know how to manage things. It might mean helplessly drowning while snorkeling or getting hit while crossing Ayala Avenue, falling down the stairs while on a hurry chasing the train or fainting in the middle of a meeting, when my nameless enemy will attack me. For now, let me just surrender everything to God and bargain for more as much as I could.

They didn’t give us
insulating sleeves
as if they had known
my fingers were numb
from the cold

I wrapped both my hands
on the red paper cup
and savored the warmth
as a part of my resolution
to preserve the moment

you didn’t sit across from me
on the little round table
but beside me
our elbows touching
still it felt like
I couldn’t get you
close enough

we were just
marking time
we couldn’t call it
anything
but we talked about
the first time we met

can you imagine
how things would have been
if you hadn’t come over
and asked for my name
if we hadn’t danced
if I hadn’t given you my number
a four-letter word
and ten digits
and we had just
gone on with our
separate agendas
that night,
this life?

then we wouldn’t be having
this coffee right now
you’d be here
with someone else
and I’d be
spending these minutes
some place different

how strange!

I couldn’t even
begin to see myself
anywhere
but here

I got this message in my email inbox, and I’m very thrilled to share this interesting and creative project with all of you here.

Let me get the sketchpad and paints out…

~ NTZ

__
Good day!

We are Start Here, an online project collecting artwork inspired by Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts that aims, in turn, to inspire others to help in rebuilding affected communities in the Philippines.

Currently, we are organizing the START HERE SKETCH-A-THON, a one-day drawing event that aims to raise funds for the benefit of Ondoy survivors. During the event, artists and artists-at-heart can draw their visions of hope, creation, and rebuilding, or ask professional artists for commissioned artwork in exchange for pledges and donations.

The event will happen on 15 November 2009, Sunday at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street, and we’d like to ask for your help in spreading the word, so that more people could attend.

More information may be found on our blog, http://rebuild-starthere.blogspot.com; we’ve also attached the event e-poster for more details about the event.

We are looking forward to your positive response. Thank you for your time.

Yours,
Elbert Or and Lorra Angbue-Te

Click on this link for more information about the event

The 11th edition of Cinemanila International Film Festival has officially started last October 15 and will run up to October 25. Main venue of the film showings is at the Market! Market! Cinemas at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig with pocket screenings at Fully Booked Taguig’s U-View and the open-air outdoor field of Bonifacio High Street.

Due to the rich harvest of Filipino independent films for the past few years till now, the opening and closing films are locally-made. Cannes 2000 Best Director Brillante Mendoza’s Lola opened the festival last week, while Cannes 2000 Palme D’Or (Short Film) winner Raymond Red’s Himpapawid will close the same this coming weekend.

There are several sections to choose movies to watch, namely, the Main Competition, SEA (Southeast Asian) Competition, Digital Lokal, World Cinema, Asian Cinema, World Cinema Fund, Three from Mexico, Singapore Cinema Today, Documentary, Special Screenings, Critics’ Picks and Sights & Signs.

The Main Competition is the most interesting part of the festival, where eleven movies are in contention and they are:
Independencia (Philippines/Germany/France/Netherlands) 77 minutes

Mammoth (Sweden) 125 minutes

Ricky (France) 90 minutes

Tulpan (Kazakhstan) 100 minutes

Cheng Du, I Love You (China) 78 minutes

Samson and Delilah (Australia) 101 minutes

Hunger (UK) 96 minutes

Tony Manero (Chile/Brazil) 98 minutes

Pandora’s Box (Turkey/France/Germany/Belgium) 112 minutes

Milk of Sorrow (Peru) 95 minutes

Machan (Italy/Sri Lanka) 109 minutes

There are some very noteworthy flicks in competition that I would really like to watch like “Mammoth” and “Ricky” being a fan of both Gael Garcia Bernal and French Director Francois Ozon. But other than the 11 movies above, I am just as interested in two of the World Cinema picks, “Coco Avant Chanel” which stars one of my favorites, Audrey Tautou plus Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno which won the Orizzonti Section of the recently-concluded Venice Filmfest.

Here are the ticket infos:

Regular Admission: PHP 120.00
Students: PHP 100.00
Senior Citizen: 20% off Regular Ticket Price
Premiere Screenings: PHP 200.00
Manila Meets Paul Schrader: PHP 250.00
Tickets can be bought in advance through Cinemanila at the Cinemanila Secretariat.
Gold Tickets are priced at PHP 950.00 each and is equivalent to 8 films and the Master Class with Paul Schrader.

So to all film buffs out there, troop to the Market! Market! Cinemas this week to catch these movies and more before the tickets run out!

Sitting next to
the sister of my soul
I let the music rush over me and claim me
the way ivy overruns and crumbles
the sturdiest walls
and I surrender all my causes
and my puny dreams
to the selfsame universe
that owns the words that we write to each other

Registration for the 2009 adidas King of the Road (KOTR) is EXTENDED until October 22, 2009!  Runners who wish to register can do so in adidas stores including Eastwood, Katipunan, Greenbelt 3, Podium, Power Plant Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and Trinoma; Planet Sports outlets in Glorietta, Greenhills, Powerplant Mall, and Trinoma; and Runnr at Bonifacio High Street.

Race packets and singlets for those who will register after October 18, 2009 can be picked up from the RACE Office located at # 75 Kennedy Street, North Greenhills ONLY on October 24 from 8:00AM – 5:00PM.

Tired of the boring flat condo units? Want more space with privacy? Searching for a condo with a house feel? Then W Tower is your answer.

W Tower is a newly finished 18 story condominium building with bi-level units. It is strategically located at Bonifacio Global City’s northern gateway with close proximity to Makati and Ortigas. Accessible to exclusive educational institutions like British School Manila, International School, Japanese School of Manila, and minutes away from the commercial establishments of Bonifacio Global City like Market Market, Bonifacio High Street. The tower was carefully planned by Budji Layug + Royal Design Architect.

For Sale: W Tower Condo
1BR unit with 1 1/2 TB
Price: P6M
Floor Area: 54 sqm
View of the Fort Bonifacio Global City
Newly turnover

For more info or schedule a tripping, please call +639175201055 or email me at chonae@gmail.com

Have you ever thought of running like you used to when you were a child—no schedules, no pace, no distance, no pressure—just pure clean fun?  I was lucky enough to have a chance at that last night at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) during my long run.  I was pretty bored of the typical Bonifacio High Street (BHS) route and out of nowhere I just thought of running wherever!  No defined routes and distance, just being spontaneous.  The only rule I followed was to run wherever in BGC I haven’t been to and hopefully not get lost—and I didn’t, so here’s what happened:

Is this route crazy or what? (Click for more details)

At about 4K into my run I received an SMS from a friend that they’d be running towards McKinley Hill. I was at the time already in Market! Market! and taking the usual route to McKinley Hill would take some time. I really was planning on going to McKinley Hill for some hill training and that’s when I thought of joining my friends—by taking C5 to get there.

I was dismayed when I found out how near McKinley Hill was from Market! Market!  I’ve never been to that section of C5 before so I had no idea it was that close.  After some time I finally met up with my friends along Lawton Ave. and crazy as I am I joined them in their run instead of heading back despite already covering 8K at that time.  For some weird reason I was able to convince them to head back to Market! Market! the same way I did going to McKinley—via C5.  Like earlier stated it was short but from McKinley it was not easy as it was a very long uphill run on the flyover!  From there we had some interesting route going back to BHS and for me ending with a total of 12.92K for the night (including the 1.21K warmup run I had around BHS).

One Million Meters

Upon tallying up my runs since I started August last year I just found out that I already covered 1,000K distance!  With this last run I currently have 1,007K under my feet and counting towards my first 1,000K for the year which currently stands at 885K.  it was truly a rewarding night since not only did I cover areas of BHS I’ve never been to, I was also able to break 1,000K.

What you can do on a saturday? Grab a camera, ask your bf to come with you and so is your brother to drive you around in taguig, walk along bonifacio high street, help ur future sister-in-law to find a new mini laptop, bring ur niece and be an instant nanny for a day (this is optional though), watch children and dogs (now in mini skirts)  run around and play….then stop! pose! and click!

Yes, the black-hawk-down couple are back …….

'cheessy' couple number 1

yellow traffic

tube

this way

classic HHWW

…and the pre-ancee

'cheessy' couple number 2 ' ( a dave hill trial effect)

sweet!...dude!

boni high

Goofing around @  mckinley hill

walking away

..and this kid just know how to do it!

huge orange cam

stop and strike a pose

which waY did they go?

…till then!

When it comes to running, the last thing on my mind was an ultramarathon—I had an idea how far a marathon is by looking at the route taken by the Milo Marathon which is “just” about 42K, but an ultra, especially 100K, was unimaginable.  In fact the first time I’ve heard of the term “ultramarathon” was when I heard the stories of the Pinoy Ultra Runners—I was like a child being told a fairy tale that I didn’t know for the first time—my eyes were probably gleaming while a dream was being shaped—a dream I didn’t realize I can accomplish before my first running anniversary.  How was it possible for a mere mortal to go from zero to an ultramarathon in less than a year?  Endurance.

Everyone has their own endurance level.  Unless you’ve won the genetic lottery a normal person should train himself to be able to endure very long distances.  Of course improving your endurance doesn’t come overnight—it is built one day at a time, like races are completed one step at a time.  The best way to achieve this endurance believe it or not is really simple—long runs.  Endurance training doesn’t really focus much on the speed but more on the time you give to your run.  Long Slow Distance (LSD) runs are best because for starters it is slow so anyone can do it at their own pace, but the key here is the long part—normally it is long distance but of course the distance you cover is also relative to how long the time you give for each run.  Like I’ve mentioned earlier the focus here is not speed so naturally the longer (time-wise) you run regardless of your speed, the longer the distance you cover.

Best Time to Start

I was very lucky when I started doing my long runs because I started during the one of the coolest months of the year, February (2009).  The later sunrises and earlier sunsets plus the much lower temperature mean more opportunity to run (although less sunlight).  I started doing my long runs (LSDs) not really to train for an ultra since I had no plans to do one then, but instead to improve my endurance to be able to run longer.  By the end of 2008 my longest run was at 16K (10mi) and I was aiming for my first half-marathon which is anything but short.  LSDs, how seemingly less effort you put into it, when done regularly would benefit everyone regardless of the distance you want to train for.  Best of all you don’t have to do it several times a week—an LSD a week is enough so better dedicate good amount of time for each.  If you train from December to February you may start as late as 7AM but in any case you should avoid running beyond 9AM outdoors.  During other months it’s better have the least exposure time with the sun so you must start as early as possible, and if the absence of sunlight isn’t an issue for you running at night also works.

Routes

Like I mentioned earlier the LSDs I had were not originally intended for ultramarathon training.  These routes were made because I really find it boring to run at the same place many times, add a sense of adventure to my runs, and seek new places.  Admittedly I wouldn’t have been encouraged to do these without my Garmin Forerunner 405 to track my time and distance (among others).  Tracking the distance you covered and time is important in doing LSDs because you need to track your progress and you may use many sites on the web to measure the distances of the routes you want to cover.  I encourage you to measure the distance of your route first so that you may approximate how long you’d take to finish it (and adjust your course accordingly).

Without further adieu here are some of my notable LSDs:

February 01, 2009: North Ave. to SM Mall of Asia via EDSA

Also known as my “MRT Tour” this one started from the Northern tip of the MRT, running along EDSA, until reaching the SM Mall of Asia compound and includes the bayside path to complete the target distance of at least 21K.

Actual distance: 21.11K.

February 08, 2009: Boni Ave. to Global City

More or less a simulation of typical 21K route within Global City that includes a pass through McKinley Hill and Heritage and finishing at Bonifacio High Street (BHS).

Actual distance: 21.70K.

March 15, 2009: Commonwealth Run

After about a month of being away from the Philippines I returned to doing LSDs and that time closer to home: Commonwealth Market to Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) returning back and ending in Regalado Ave.—the northernmost route I’ve done to date.  Who would’ve known that I covered half of the route of the Quezon City International Marathon with this route? This also served as my last run before completing my first 21K later on, the Condura Run.

Actual distance: 22.32K.

April 09, 2009: Commonwealth Ave. to BHS via Kalayaan Ave. and C5

With the excitement I got from LSDs it’s almost automatic for me to have one whenever I am not running any races.  With the thought of doing my first ultra looming I also had to gradually step up my LSDs.

Actual distance: 23.03K.

April 12, 2009: Commonwealth Ave. to MoA via Quezon Ave., España Blvd., and Roxas Blvd.

One of the most picturesque routes and easily one of my favorites, it passes through the historic city of Manila.  Don’t take this route if you don’t have your camera and is not willing to stop to enjoy the sights.

Actual distance: 27.50K.

May 03, 2009: Manila to Tagaytay

To date my longest non-race run—so long I had my marathon and ultramarathon distance debut with this run!  With about 20 days to go before my first ultramarathon race, TNF100, it’s a must that I do a serious LSD to prepare my body for the grueling 100K.  I highly recommend this route to those planning to do their first ultramarathon.

Actual distance: 56.60K.

I actually had a repeat of this route last August 02, 2009 (but was a few meters shorter at 56.00K) with more friends adding to the community of ultra-runners.  I encourage ultra-runners-to-be to take this route because of its challenge (generally uphill) and distance which is even longer than some ultramarathon races.

Metro Manila routes for my first year of running

For the past year I did a lot of LSDs covering nice distances and interesting routes both within and outside Metro Manila.  Recently though I’ve yet done a 20K+ route but despite that I still benefit from the endurance I gained with these LSDs (click here to see the complete list of my runs) and was even able to complete my first marathon, still within my first year of running.  As you may notice I wasn’t as consistent with my LSDs as I’ve wanted but it still works!  What’s important is the honest dedication and effort to practice, and in the end you reap what you sow.  You may not be planning for an ultramarathon but this “secret” is proven to help anyone willing to improve themselves.  As you can see training need not be imposing—all you need are some sense of adventure, an open mind, and a willing body.  Better yet grab along some crazy buddies with you to share the fun!  Just don’t forget to bring along your common sense on your exploit!

See you on the road, and have a safe run!

From a humble 5K start it’s inevitable that you’d seek “higher grounds.”  After disappointment of not being able to join a race because of a gadget requirement I was inspired when I saw the next race headed our way: the adidas King of the Road (KOTR).  Just imagining myself running atop Kalayaan flyover makes me ecstatic so without second thoughts I signed up for my first 10K, my second race ever.  Some think it’s a huge leap since I don’t really run other than in races but if you really put your heart into it, you can.  What’s more motivating was the singlet—it’s one of the best race singlets to date and it’s not any regular singlet—it’s by adidas!  What a way to really encourage you to be a “king of the road.”

The Online Community: Takbo.ph

Discovering takbo.ph was a real convenience—suddenly I have a directory of races I can join and even forums that could help me get tips.

My first picture with takbo.ph guys

Admittedly I didn’t want to join any online forums then because I was contented with getting the schedules—until takbo.ph announced they’d give away a shirt to a lucky newbie that would register and introduce himself.  A sucker for prizes like I am (and to prove how I’m so unlucky I don’t win in any raffles like these) I joined (and proven once again I’m right—I didn’t win the contest) thus starting my bond with takbo.ph.  Little did I know that it would grow to the scale it has now, and how it would be a part of my life, not just online or in running.

With the animated group known as takbo.ph, January 11, 2009, UP Diliman

The Birth of runningpinoy

I was really getting hooked on the running fever and as enthusiastic as I am with the new sport I love I wanted to share to fellow newbie runners my experiences hoping that in my little way I could be of help to the community—that was how the idea of blogging occurred.  Being a web developer myself I’m no stranger to the internet, although I had the dilemma on where to host my blog.  Being a digital artist as well I know how to work around digital media, but the one thing that I fall short of creativity was in giving names.  Sure I can set up a website, but what would I name it?

Do you still remember this header?

I was running out of time (literally) as I really wanted to setup everything before my birthday (November 7) and for some weird twist of fate I just landed on runningpinoy—it has the word running, I am a Pinoy, and its acronym is RP like Republic of the Philippines—perfect!  Best of all it’s not yet taken on blogger and wordpress so I can definitely use it.  To cut the chase I ended up working with wordpress using the template used by the old thebullrunner site (I told you I love that site!) but of course with a banner that I designed myself.  A few days after my birthday, on November 11, 2008 runningpinoy.wordpress.com was officially launched.  Thank you to all my early supporters!

Nike Running Clinic

November, 2008.  Nike Philippines launched its running clinic at the PSC Arena (formerly Ultra).  It was the first free running clinic (as far as I know) initiated by a sports brand in the Philippines.  Finally mere mortals were able to have elite coaches to guide them!  This was my first opportunity to run outside of races and also socialize with fellow runners.  And in case you’re wondering Nike Running Clinic is still on-going, Tuesdays at PSC Arena (Ultra) and Fridays at Bonifacio High Street (BHS), 7PM onwards.

One Hundred Kilometers

One of my first proud accomplishments for 2008 was completing 100K of races.  From 5K I was able to reach 10mi (16K)—an achievement for a newbie runner myself but it just goes to show that if you can imagine it, you can.  Stop dreaming and start running!  And this was all in 2008, what I’d like to call the pre-Garmin era!

Running is very inexpensive but very addicting but sometimes running on the same area over and over again could be very tiresome.  Do we have to go far to run in some interesting locations?  Runners fear not!  I’ve compiled a list of the best places to run within Metro Manila based on its walk-ability, safety, accessibility, and post run amenities. Best of all, all these places are free!

#5: Roxas Boulevard, Manila

Roxas Boulevard is one of the best destinations for setting new personal records (PRs) because it is relatively flat and virtually straight course.  It is one of the most popular race sites in the Metro and even the country’s premier running event, Milo Marathon, is staged here.  This is one the nicest roads to run onto because you have a nice view of the Manila skyline on one side, and the Manila Bay on the other.

Runners running Roxas Blvd. typically start across Rizal Monument

It is also the site of Kilometer Zero (Km 0)

Pros:

• Great place to set PRs.
• Excellent view.
• Ample sidewalks to run onto.
• There are vendors in the area so hydration should not be a problem.

Cons:

• Could be crowded at times.
• Relatively little shade.
• Food and water options could be at certain locations limited.
• Parking and safety issues.

#4: SM Mall of Asia Compound, Pasay City

Another bay-side location, this area is popular amongst runners and bikers alike because of its accessibility and not to mention that it’s within the confines of the Philippines’ largest mall.  Many races were also set here in the past attesting to the run-ability of the site.

The bay-side walkway of the compound

Pros:

• Very accessible from practically anywhere in the Metro and nearby province.
• A lot of route options that are flat and relatively straight.
• Excellent view.
• Post-run amenities of a mall.

Cons:

• Some areas have little shade.
• Could be very crowded at times.
• At times can be very hot and humid due to the sea breeze.

#3: Marikina Riverbanks, Marikina City

One of the greenest places to run, the riverbanks of Marikina is relatively unknown except maybe for Marikina residents.  Personally I only discovered this route when Botak100’s 100K route passed through here and instantly I knew that this site should be placed on a runner’s best running places list.  Where else in Metro Manila do you have a chance to run alongside a relatively clean river?

The riverbanks offer something that is rarely seen in the Metro—a living river

Pros:

• Unique location that has a scenic river as focal point.
• Lush greenery ensures fresh air for everyone.
• Long and at times winding relatively flat road is sure to make an interesting run.
• Mall access at one end of the route.

Cons:

• Not that accessible for those coming other than the east.
• Supplies could be very limited (depending on the time) along most areas.
• Not recommended during rainy season because of flood risk.
• Limited parking.

#2: University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

Lush greenery, excellent and sometimes challenging routes, great accessibility—just about what every runner would want is here.  The canopies of the tall trees make for excellent shades that allows running even late in the morning and also keeps the air fresh and cool.  This is also one of the most popular race event venues because of its interesting sets of routes.

Nice canopies for shade and wide spaces that accommodate huge sums of people

Pros:

• Lush greens provide fresh and clean air and shade that facilitates running even late in the morning.
• Excellent routes from flat to hilly of various lengths which when combined create an interesting route for beginners and athletes alike.
• Highly accessible.
• Enough space to accommodate a huge number of people.

Cons:

• Since it’s a University supplies could be distant depending on your location so it’s highly recommended to bring your own.
• Public transport could be an issue very early in the morning.
• Limited restrooms.
• Parking issues.

#1: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Arguably the country’s favorite running location, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) lives up to its name by having a globally-competitive urban planning that includes wide sidewalks virtually everywhere (with the exception of construction sites) that is conducive to running.  Most races in the Metro either start here or pass through here not only because of excellent roads and picturesque skylines but also the wide variety of routes you can have here.  You can pick the relatively even route of Bonifacio High Street (BHS), the long distances of Lawton Avenue and Bayani Road, or you can challenge yourself with McKinley Hill.  And since you’re within the confines of a “global city” you’ll be sure to get the supplies you need just about everywhere and anytime.

BHS is also host to a few running clinics

McKinley Hills for those who want some challenge

For most part of BGC the sidewalks are wide for pedestrians and runners alike

Pros:

• The globally-competitive urban planning ensures ample sidewalks for runners.
• Plenty of distances, routes, and terrain choices that are ideal for beginners and athletes alike.
• Very accessible from practically all parts of the Metro, all the time.
• Supplies are ample just about everywhere and anytime within BGC.
• A lot of parking spaces.

Cons:

• Most areas have limited shades limiting day runs to early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
• Could be very difficult to enter BGC during rush hours particularly on weekends.
• Runners should be wary of pedestrian traffic and parking vehicles around BHS.

Did your running spot made the cut?  These five locations surely aren’t perfect but they sure provide standards for local governments on how to make a runner-friendly urban landscape.  I could say that Bonifacio Global City is leading the way with world-class urban planning with Marikina City following in the right direction.  I hope that the cities of Metro Manila keep in mind a people-friendly design when planning their cities and hopefully these five locations becomes their template in urban design.

I’m looking forward to expanding this list in the future and I dare urban developers to come up with challengers to these five.  If you think your running location has got what it takes to be listed, I’d be more than glad to have your feedback. Until then, run safe!

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