Facing the Giants

Photo Credits: IMP Awards

Before exercising my right to vote, I watched Facing the Giants first.

THE STORY (from the movie's official website)

From the award-winning producers of FLYWHEEL comes a new, action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team and himself.

In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.

However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field and off.

With God, all things are possible.

Here's a trailer of the film:

Video Credits: Lindsey959

After watching the film, I am inspired. And these words come out of my mouth:

Never Give Up. Never Back Down. Never Lose Faith.

Make sure to find time and watch this film. Right now, I'll be watching Flywheel - another great movie.

Spare, Spare, Spare

It is the sportsfest in our company this week, I joined the basketball and table tennis tourney. However, yesterday I was invited to play bowling at SM Annex Bowling Center. I am not really that good in bowling, I just love to play.

We played three sets, I guess I am the lowest in the first two sets. Then my girl came to watch me. Inspired? Well, most probably because I had five straight spares. Although I could have really wanted to have a strike, but I just can't.

Thanks to my girl who took a picture of me while playing.

Reason for My Hiatus

I have been out from blogging lately, pardon me. I’ve been busy with work and church activities. In fact, I haven’t accompanied my girl from her running events too. Nonetheless, I still exercise at least twice a week using my stationary bike.

Hmmm, what is consuming my time lately at work? Aside from the endless reports that I need to submit, our company is currently holding a sports fest type of activity where I would be playing basketball and table tennis. We had a couple of basketball practices and once table tennis. It is amazing to know that most of my colleagues here do excel in sports activities. As for me, I just enjoy it. Anyhow, the main goal of which is to promote healthy lifestyle. Another remarkable thing was when I attended one of the committee meetings. I was astonished to know that some of the participants/committee of our sports fest will be handled by national athletes. They were introduced to us either by word or by their entertainment business cards. I thought, playing with them would already mean achievement for me. That’s exciting.

As for our church activities, I attended our church service at Malabon yesterday. After which, I attended fellowship at Edified. It was pretty busy day, but I felt no loss of energy – anything for the Lord.

At the end of the day, my family and I pass by SM Marilao to take advantage of the 3-day sale. I purchased a jacket from Arrow. It was my gift for myself. We all should treat ourselves once in a while. So there, you know now why I haven’t been blogging for long now. I’m just keeping in touch. Will blog again when able. Thanks for the visit my friends.

Starting a Business?

Have you imagined yourself five, or maybe ten, years from now still working as an employee of the company where you’re at? Sometimes I do; but most of the time, I don’t. I am always looking forward at setting up my own business and be the boss of my own company. Who wouldn’t?

But then again, I know it’s not easy. We may look up to those who were already successful and hoped that we could achieve what they had at an instant. Not knowing what they have toiled before they stand on that pedestal. I should know, because I once tried to start a small food cart business back in the hometown of my girl. At first, it was gratifying that we’re earning a few. Months pass, and our earnings become lesser compared to our expenses. Thus, we’ve got no resort but to stop our business. A lot of money, time, and effort have been wasted there. It was depressing. But in every thing, there is a brighter side. We may have lost money, time, and effort; but I know we’ve gain experience which is indispensable compared to the latter.

Just a piece of advice, like what I had already told a number of times before, providing yourself sufficient knowledge with whatever you wanted to do. Read Business Articles, tons of them, if you have to. Knowledge and God are the best weapons in every fight you’ll have to deal with.


Photo Credits: http://mathisregazziblogs.com/

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!