Tiktakbo 3: Isa, Dalawa, Takbo

My Running Diary (scroll to see the full list):

1. Adidas King of the Road 2009 - October 25, 2009 : 0:48:59
   
2. A Run for the Pasig River - November 8, 2009
   
3. Time is Running, The 2009 Timex Run - November 15, 2009 : 0:43:49/0:41:23
   
4. Men's Health Urbanathlon and Festival 2009 - November 22, 2009 : 0:53:50
   
5. New Balance Power Run, Raising Hope 2009 - November 29, 2009 (Bandit) : 0:38:19
   
6. 1^st Catholic Ministry to Deaf People Yes Run 2009 - December 6, 2009 : 0:42:25 (unofficial)
   
7. Pioneer Mighty Bond Mighty Run 2009 - December 13, 2009 : 0:38:13 (unofficial)
8. PhilStar.com Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 - December 20, 2009 (chaos)
9. PSE Bull Run 2010 : Takbo Para sa Ekonomiya - January 17, 2010 : 0:36:23
10. Condura Run 2010 - Run for the Dolphins - February 7, 2010 : 0:33:18 (unofficial) 0:37:00 (official)
11. Century Superbods Run 2010: RunRio Trilogy Leg 1 - February 21, 2010 : 0:49:10 / 0:39:35
12. UNILAB Run United for Wellness - March 7, 2010 : 1:22:32
13. Globe Run for Home 2010 - March 21, 2010 : 0:38:22 / 0:37:37
14. Mizuno Infinity Race 2010 - April 11, 2010 : 1:19:49
15. National Geographic Earth Day Run 2010 - April 18, 2010 : 1:30:18
16. The Neutrogena Run 2010: Chase the Sun - May 16, 2010 : 1:22:47 / 1:22:41
17. Nature Valley Run 2010: RunRio Trilogy Leg 2 - May 30, 2010: 1:30:15 / 1:23:37
18. Walk the World 2010 - June 6, 2010 : 00:38:53
19. Ace Hardware Eco-Friendly Run 2010 - June 27, 2010 : DNF
20. 34^th National Milo Marathon - July 4, 2010 : 0:42:11
21. NutriBar Hip 2b Fit Fun Run 2010 - July 11, 2010 : 1:12:21
22. Takbo.ph Runfest: Celebrate Running - July 25, 2010 : 1:19:46
23. Tiktakbo 3: Isa, Dalawa, Takbo - August 22, 2010 : 00:48:59 (unofficial)
    

It surprised me seeing my list that I have been off from running for almost a month. Well, it is brought by my no show at the Run to Read last August 15 where I should have run my first 15K. Anyway, I had laced up and ran a 6K Couples category in Tiktakbo 3: Isa, Dalawa, Takbo at UP Diliman last Sunday and had more or less 5K of cool down (if that's what we can call it) in the UP Academic Oval. I don't know if race results were already out, but my unofficial time is 48 minutes 59 seconds.

Thumbs Up

• The race bib is printed in tarpaulin. I make it a thumbs up for race bibs in paper easily tore apart.
• Registration fee is pretty cheap, PhP600 for a 6K couples (2 race kits).
• It started on time.
• I have to commend that there are portalets situated beside the venue.
• New route (at least for me).
• Sufficient hydration, and a refreshing cold Pocari Sweat around 1K before the finish line and after the finish.
• The venue itself, for me, is a thumbs up for you can still have your cool down around the UP Acad.

Thumbs Down

• KM markers and marshals become insufficient for the last finishers of the 18K category. My girl and I waited for ChickenLegs to finish his race. But upon seeing that it's time for us to leave, we decided to leave. Luckily, we still spotted him and was able to cheer him for he was only a few meters before the finish. That is when we noticed that there were no more marshals to attend to the remaining 18K runners.
  

After the race, we headed on to Conti's for a post breakfast :)

Centris Walk, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue

My officemates and I frequently have our lunch at Centris. It is walking distance from our office. However, I still haven't stop by the newly opened Centris Walk until last Sunday where my girl and I drop by 7-11 and Tutti Frutti.



It is such a great place where you can enjoy. You wouldn't even believe that it is just right beside EDSA. It makes me feel like I'm on a different place.

In Centris Walk, you can enjoy ASYA (Filipino Asian Restaurant), Italianni's Restaurant, Jack's Loft (it's considerably small), MYTHAI Kitchen, Pancake House, Pho Hoa, Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt (recommended), and Zong (Dining Redefined). Soon to open are ClawDaddy and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Centris Weekend Market also happens every Saturday (6AM to 2PM) organized by Sidcor.

Drop by the place sometime, it's worth it.

Leyte-Samar Travel August 2010

It's been long since I had posted my travel pictures here. Mostly, I've been posting about my runs. So here, I've made some time to post these pictures while I'm still here at Leyte. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

AirPhil Express Aircraft
I heard about the Philippine Airline situation, hope everything will be fine.

Room 318 of Ormoc Villa Hotel. This became my home for the last 3 nights.

Lamp and Window...

Ormoc City Food Park. This food park houses various food stalls offering chicken and fish Inihaw.

Ormoc City Superdome
I wonder if PBA had already been held here

A reflection at Ormoc City.
I guess I need to improve more on photography.

Hotel Don Felife.
This is where I spent the days while typhoon Frank of June 2008 strikes the eastern Visayas.

Ormoc City Bus Terminal. Passenger vans and buses where in that terminal to take you to any town and province near Ormoc City. But some can even take you as far as Cubao and Davao.

Pineapples

Pineapple of Ormoc City. A small but crunchy and truly delicious pineapple.

Some of the food stuff at Ormoc City Food Park.

Ormoc Villa Hotel at the Night.
Ormoc Villa Hotel is located at Obrero St., Ormoc City, Philippines. Just beside the Ormoc City Superdome and a block away from Ormoc City Food Park. For more information, please visit www.ormocvillahotel.com

Ricefield along Maharlikha hi-way.
I hope this won't become a commercial or industrial are in the future.

Improvised habal-habal.

MacArthur's Park at Palo, Leyte

He did return, didn't he?



On this spot, Palo, Leyte, General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines on October 20, 1944. Personally led the swift drive against the Japanese forces in the Philippines. President Sergio Osmeña and some members of the government-in-exile arrived with General Douglas MacArthur and proceeded to reorganize, restore and administer the government of the commonwealth of the Philippines. Declared a National Historical Landmark on 2004.


A view from San Juanico Bridge (the longest in the country) approaching the Island of Samar.







Sto. Niño Shrine at Tacloban City.

A famous Visayan delicacy, Binagol.

Garden and pool of Ormoc Villa Hotel.

Till my next trip. God Bless!

My Simple Birthday Celebration

Last July 23, I celebrated my 29^th birthday; and I thank God for the very wonderful life that He had given me; and for continuing to bless me everyday of my life.

For my celebration, it is not that fab. I just spend it with my girl and that's it. We had frozen yogurt from Red Mango and pesto from The Old Spaghetti House.




As for my present, my officemates gave me this cap from Adidas.



From my girl, I received a birthday card and a sort-of-GC in an envelop within an envelop within an envelop. It is similar to a maze wherein I have to decide which envelop to open; which would somehow lead me to a birthday present I most like based on the decisions I made. She's just a witty girl :)

We still haven't bought my present. So, I still cannot post it here. Will do it once I had a hand of my present :)

Anyhow, I would like to thank everyone for all the warm greetings on my birthday! I appreciate it, really.