Marquez' Travels

Friday, April 23, 2010

Clash of the Titans

Last April 9, after accompanying my girl in her check-up, we decided to make use of our movie birthday passes at SM City The Block. I am really not aware of what is the 'hottest' movie at the moment, so I let my girl decide. But like me, she is also caught off guard. Thus, we just decided to choose what seemed to be a blockbuster at that time, and it was 'The Clash of the Titans'.

The film is pretty well understood [even without subtitles]. Also, you need not review your mythology classes to fully understand the movie. But I'll bet you'll dig in to those myths after seeing it. We do.

Shall I recommend the movie? Hmmm, not really. The movie is not something that is worth the watch [at least not for me]. The movie is good [but not great]. I am giving it 3 out 5 stars.

Monday, April 19, 2010

National Geographic Earth Day Run 2010

My Running Diary:

I am really planning at meeting the 01:10 target that my girl and I have set back at the Mizuno Infinity Race 2010; but I failed to do so. I started strong. I even left my girl behind. I am still on target at the 5K mark (35min); but I am surprised how my girl overtake me at around halfway of 5-6K. She told me she is doing the Galloway Method. I tried to pace with her. But I just can't keep up. She made me eat her dust. From 6K onwards, I just walk until the finish line. My girl even met me up at around 200m from the finish. She was at the finish line at a considerable amount of time already. I need more practice and training.

Thumbs Up

I believe everybody love the limited edition technical shirt. The registration is worth it.
Hydration booth. I am on crossroads on whether to place it here or in thumbs down; but I prefer to have it here for it is sufficient. But I would have love to sip a Gatorade than water to re-fuel myself.
Sufficient kilometer markers.
Marshals that are equipped with sufficient knowledge about the race route.
An organized after race event. We were welcomed with free Nature Valley granola bars, a slice of limited edition of American Idol Greenwich pizza, a box of multivitamins (which we were unable to have), photo op with placards showing how we support Design Against the Elements (DAtE), and green bandanna.

Thumbs Down

Hmmm, so what's a 'Thumbs Down' with this event? I believe many had been ranting about the registration fee of the event. But I believe if runners simply think of the beneficiary, they won't feel any loss with the amount they had spent/donated.
Dust. They should have placed the event area at the parking lot instead of the dusty venue. Nonetheless, it was still a well-organized event.

I am glad that I had run for a good cause, to help the with an ambitious goal of DAtE searching the brain of a genius that could architect a habitat that could withstand the elements of the Earth. I did my part at helping our Planet Earth with the climate change that we are currently experiencing. Have you done yours?

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While running for a good cause, I still find some time for my photography. A view of SM Mall of Asia's Globe during sunrise.

The 10K runners racing for a podium finish. Go Pinoys!

My girl, leaving me behind

Crossing the Finish Line

I care for our Mother Earth, and so I ran. How about you?

Friday, April 16, 2010

Mizuno Infinity Race 2010

My Running Diary:

Mizuno Infinity Race 2010 was my 2^nd 10K race. But this one's different from my first (UNILAB Run United for Wellness) for a couple of reasons:

My girl and I had a competition between us, and that is to be at the Finish Line by 01:10; and whoever wins will have a free compression tights from the loser; and,
The race route is very challenging (at least for us) for it'll be our first time to traverse Buendia Flyover to and fro.

I must say that I enjoy the run; despite the fact that I am unable to win a free compression tights, LOL! Running at the Buendia Flyover brings some feeling of accomplishment for me (for it was my first time). Anyway, let's proceed with my thumbs ups and downs.

Thumbs UP

My girl and I were late in the gunstart of the 10K; and it was amazing that we don't find it hard to squeeze into the piled up 5K runners for the marshals form a sort of express lane for the late 10K runners.
As for hydration, it was sufficient. And they also have sponges for 10K runners. Most races have it for distances above 10K.
The race route. Registering for 10K is already a courage for us who were comfortable at 5K distances. The challenge that welcomed us makes me really wanna run 10K distances all the more.
The finishers' shirt is also a thumbs up. Almost everyone wore the shirt after the race. Not to mention the sling bag given back upon registration.
Gatorade was also available for the finishers.
Shower at the end of the Finish line stretch where I was able to damp my towel for refreshment.
A post event for the runners to be held at Fort Victoria on April 25.

Thumbs DOWN

Bananas. Well, they were only offered for Mizuno users. So, it was a thumbs down for me since I am not one, LOL!
KM markers seem to be insufficient. Nonetheless, it was not that significant for me.

Mizuno Infinity Race is a never ending battle against oneself. They were challenging each and every runner to improve their time each year. Definitely, I would want to run again next year and beat my own time.

Happy RUNNING!

Monday, April 12, 2010

A Five Star for Globe's Fast Service

I can still remember the rants my girl had made against Globe Telecommunications (GT) a year ago. Her cellphone just go a No Access to Network without doing anything. By instinct, she reported the incident to GT's Customer Service and had to answer the SOPs over and over again which did not make any improvements on her concern [it just adds up on her dismay]. She even drop by on GT centers and still of no help. She was even blamed for what happened to her SIM. Oh my, something that really makes her mad.

Good thing, all these inconvenience were relieved by GT when she reported the case (after a year) to GT's Twitter account. Contrary to her experience (a year ago), GT's Twitter response is fast and that they were really after customer satisfaction.

This Thursday, it happened to my Globe SIM. I chose not to report it to a GT Customer Service for I know I will just be hearing same old questions, giving me false hopes that they already had reported the matter to their technicians, and make me wait for a week or so without any progress at all.

I just send a message to GT's Twitter account with the hope of a fast response like they did to my girl. Unfortunately, I got nil. We also seek the help of GT's NGMA Area Head. But we got a little bit late response for he has personal matters to attend to. For our lat resort, we asked my girl's former officemate (now a GT employee) about the SIM upgrade he had mentioned a year ago which is only available at their Cubao branch and is for a certain fee. Surprisingly, he told us that it is now available anywhere and for FREE!

So we tried our luck at Waltermart, Plaridel yesterday. And yes, we were open-mouthed when the very approachable GT personnel attend to our concern without questions leading to "hot heads". She smilingly greeted us, make us wait for only a couple of seconds, and presto, I got my SIM card upgraded. With access to network and with my balance in tact. That was a breeze!

I still can't get over it. I would no longer worry buying a new SIM and having to text everyone from my phonebook my new number. It was really a five star for Globe's fast service!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Earth Hour 2010 at SM City Marilao

I hardly remember where I'm at exactly a year ago for the celebration of Earth Hour 2009. But it's history; and I am glad that I had taken part of the Earth Hour 2010 at SM City Marilao. Yes, I am one of the lucky few who were invited to the simple, yet dignity-driven, activity.

The meeting place was at David's Tea House where we were served with mouth-watering dishes. And so I took my part on being the photographer of the group.

While eating at David's Tea House

After a pleasant dinner, we proceed to the venue of the program. The program is entitled "Chants and Dances for the Earth Hour at SM Marilao". It was held in front of the mall. A mini-stage was set-up for the presentation of dances from selected students and teachers from Sophia School of Meycauayan.

But before anything else, I had a photo taken with Al Gore's poster.

A brief introduction about Earth Hour was presented followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and Marilao Hymn. Then, before the clock strikes 8:30PM, a countdown was made and the turning off the lights was symbolically done simultaneously with the lighting of torch. Only 50% of the mall's lights were turned off for security purposes; nonetheless, that 50% already helped a lot in saving our only planet, the Earth.

Here are some of my shots during the program/celebration:

At the end of the program, a freedom wall was provided allowing anybody to post his pledge on "What will you do to help save Mother Earth".

It was an activity worth celebrating and joining. Thanks to SM City Marilao for inviting me.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Globe Run for Home '10

My Running Diary:

Globe Run for Home 2010 is yet another race that can be leveled to those races that had been elevated to the pedestal for being a barometer of the best organized races. And it is not surprising that it was still Coach Rio De La Cruz who spearheaded the race. He may have reaped a number of negative feedbacks years before in his genesis as a race organizer; but accepting this heart-breaking feedback and doing better in the succeeding races puts him atop the race organizers here in the Philippines.

Alright, so much of the praises for the afro man. Let me now share my insights about the race per se.

Thumbs UP

Hyrdation, a very vital element for runners, is something that has been looked closely in this race. The Powerade and water were overflowing, literally. More so, it was cold, not a straight from the bottle drink; rather, a straight from the ref-like temperature.
Having to traverse a new race route brought challenge and joy to us runners (may it be new or seasoned). I particularly love the tunnel-like route (I believe that was a way to the parking) and the flyover.
The traffic is well-managed. In fact, we never have to traverse a crossing or anything.
The FINISH line is how I really pictured at to be a very neat one. A stretched FINISH line to avoid bottleneck, and followed by a similarly long tables of hydration. I believe after finishing a race, may it be as short as 3K or as long as 21K, a runner would love to have a hydration.
Booths for the runners, though not that plenty, is not scarce anyhow. We still find something to enjoy.
I love the park where the program is held. It was cold and nature-looking venue. I just found a new great place where running events can be held.
Timely update of my Facebook Account, particularly the time I cross the start and finish line, is one of a kind champion chip technology.

Thumbs DOWN

It was annoying that two (2) of the bouncers shouts sarcastically on us runners while controlling the 5K runners from entering the starting line zone. For a fact that the baggage area is along or inside the zone, it would really mean crossing or trespassing it. And I believe we are all professionals that needs to be treated in the same way. Good thing it was taken aback by a bouncer who bid us good luck before the gun start.
Unlike the UNILAB Run, kilometer markers here were scarce. In fact I got to only see one, the 2KM mark, which I believe is positioned somewhere in the 2.5KM distance.

And on top of these reviews, I am one of the lucky two who won a shoes from Puma in the raffle/promotion by BPI. Only, I still haven't got a hand of my prize, so I still wanted to reserve my excitement.

Photo Op after winning a Puma Shoes

But definitely, I will join Globe Run for Home '11!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The North Face 100 : Shall I Take the Challenge?

Ahhh… I just finished a 5K race early this morning at the Globe-Ayala Run for Home 2010. I enjoyed the race route, most especially at the time wherein we have to climb the flyover. We actually stop at the top to take photos. It was something. Remarkable. It was my first time to traverse such route. It is challenging yet enjoyable.

With that in mind, I had realized that for me, running faster would not really make me fulfilled. For I know race events were plagued by competitive runners who averages 3min/km. I am way too far, averaging 6-7min/km. So, NO, I won’t be running to beat them. I’ll be running for fun, for challenge, and for fulfillment. And I believe challenging race not only constraint into running on the road – but in trail running too. It is running and enjoying the beauty of nature in one, atop of the rocks, trails, and sometimes crossing the rivers as well.

Hmmm, shall I take the challenge of The North Face in conquering the unexplored trails of Camp John Hay, the PMA grounds, Mt. Sto. Tomas and Tuba with a fitting finish in the iconic Burnham Park dubbed as The North Face 100? I am already imagining the steep climbs and the long exciting trail of 11K, 22K, 50K, or 100K distances. Yeah, that is a 100K trail run distance, it’s an Ultra Marathon; an Asia’s 1st Trail Running Ultra Marathon series to Baguio-Benguet.

This one’s a test of endurance, really. Define your personal limits 6,000++ ft above sea level! Join The North Face 100 in Baguio-Benguet. Visit: www.thenorthface100.ph. Have a sneak peek of the trails in their TVC. Yet with that in mind, participants would be given the rare chance to explore Baguio and Benguet’s beauty. And with the cut off times, sure enough, runners will have the ample time of picture taking along the trails. Looks like hitting two birds with just a stone for me – running and practicing photography.

TNF100. Am I ready to take this challenge? I had a number of 5Ks already and a 10K. But trail running is way different. I’m nervous. I’ll think this over. But I definitely would love to take the challenge.