Thursday, October 16, 2008

AMDG Club



Let's join the "dangerous" gang hehe.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Whirling Dervish



Nice moves, galing :)

Serendra

Jen took these pics last weekend. Obviously masaya si Jacob. Freedom!


Happy Boy Jacob :)


Goofball look No.1


Another Goofy Look hehe


Eto pa isa...


Trying to do a headstand


Got Hair, di nako kalbo.


Smile muna


Smile while walking around


Serious face

I'm the King of the Road

Cramming for this race was not good but I kept things as real as possible. I just wanted to run and finish the run without walking. Yun lang, bonus nalang if I can keep my time under 2:30 mins.I'm not stranger to long distances but this one is different since I will be running alone, it's also my first race in long time that's more than the usual 10km fare.



After training for a week or so I finally walked into starting point for the start of the race. We were the first batch to go followed by the 10 and 5km race participants. I was a bit uneasy, at first I did not see any familiar faces. I started pacing inside the enclosure until I finally settled in the back section where most of the "non-serious" runners were. Crap, Pen saw me, then Neville. There were UPM members joining the race -- just my luck 2 members of the Pinoy Ultra Marathoners hehe. They will surely be witness to my death march across the urban jungle. So much for UPM pride. Dibale na, I thought to myself. There's no need to worry since I was sure that they would start off quickly...sa likod nalang ako. The gun went off and the race was on. Crap, I want to pee. I suddenly wanted to go to the CR to take a leak just as the race started. Hmmm maybe I'll look for a tree or something. Hold it, I'll just hold it all in for a while.



After a few minutes familiar faces started to emerge, some of our applicants have joined the race. That's just icing for the cake since I will have more audience for this run...thoughts ran through my mind "Uy, si Ninoy hinimatay dun sa Adidas race hehe...wasted". I quickly waved and said hello. Keeping distance so I don't need to go along with their pace. Remember that these guys are probably 10 years younger than me, maubos kaagad ang yabang ko if I keep this up.



After a few minutes running along with the crowd I saw one of our clients - si Rivka, she was running alone but I knew that she always ran with a pack. Now I had to scrap the tree thing since we have clients on board "Hey, Ninoy ikaw ba yung nasa puno last Sat?". At this point I had no choice but to run a bit faster so I could reach the gas stations along Buendia. Dun nalang, I thought to myself. I just hoped that I'll make it there.



The sun was out as we crossed the Buendia Flyover towards Makati. Nice day to wear shades, shades na naiwan ko sa unit when I left. Buti nalang I had a cap on, it gave a bit of relief from the sun. It's going to be a long and hot race I thought to myself.

Why am I doing this? -- This question kept popping up as I scanned the crowd for familiar faces. Bahala na, just keep on running and try to keep from fainting or something. Saw some friends along the way and made a quick stopover to unload, I was off and running to make up for lost minutes. The fast pace of most people became more relaxed, maybe it's the heat or most were just conserving energy for the long road ahead. 21km is long, you have to keep yourself amused. I have my Ipod with me but I was busy with running so I couldn't enjoy the music that well. So I did what I did best -- I made names for all the other runners that were running along with me.

My first running "buddy" was Tennis Shoes. He was an old timer and he was wearing tennis shoes! 21km and you wear tennis shoes. Either he's crazy or forgot that he was joining a foot race. He was quick though, looked a bit serious at times. We had a turn around before reaching the Buendia tracks

After a few minutes I met up with Daddy Long Legs, he had a beard and an Ipod. He ran for a few minutes then walked a few steps. Haba ng stride but slow. He looked younger than Tennis Shoes but had his game face on. He looked tired when we reached Petron.

Black shirt was not far from where we were, small girl around 5-5'1 but she was quick. Mukhang may pera kasi todo outfit for running, maybe she had her bonus already. Init I thought to myself, running in all black apparel. Well I guess kahit sa running it's still important to look good.

On the way back to The Fort I saw 2 friends, classic. You just know they are not ready for this race. They were just walking up the fly over and had a look of disbelief, bakit kaya tayo andito hehe. The other girl's fuel belt was hanging way down low. It's not her size and I just bet malamang it would have fallen off if she ran hehe.

After this I stopped making up names since I was feeling the heat, we were heading back The Fort for the final stretch. I saw the route so I know we're headed towards Heritage. I know that place and I know it's going to he hot going back, good thing I was carrying a full load of water bottles - all 3 of them for the race. At least di ako mamatay sa uhaw. There were water stations but most were using water from drums, ice cold but you get to wonder were they got them. Ok na din, I got a few cups and washed my face. Sarap, it's a good way to wash off the grime.



15km - I saw the marker along the road. Ok another 6km and I'm done. Damn it was hot, I felt the sun burning my back as I ran the last leg of the race. I must move quickly so I could reach the shaded area, it's going down towards Heritage. A tree lined stretch provided comfort, the building also helped. Downside was since It was downhill we had to go back up again, up again the same road and face the run this time towards the finish. My feet were becoming heavy and I was not longer interested in music so balik na naman ako sa climbing buddies ko hehe.

Boy Leggings had a weird way of running. Instead of facing forward he ran with his back, ergo he was facing you as he ran. Hehehe pag pagod ka na you begin to wonder why we was doing this, at first kala ko he turned around to ask me something. He would face forward and turn his back hehe...ang labo. I had to over take him baka he starts taking to himself.

Saw Stripe Girl, bilis ng pace maybe I could use her pace as guide for my own. Parang di ko yata kaya hehe, She had this yellow liquid for a drink, mukhang masarap but I figured that I could not wash my face with this. Lakgit nun hehehe. She was too fast for me so i followed another group. Red Shirts and Blue Pants.

The Red Shirts were quick but started walking 3km from the finish line. At this point I started to hear voices telling me to walk - "Lakad ka nalang, you have nothing to prove" hehe. Now everyone around me was walking uphill. Crap ayoko maglakad, I wanted to finish this race running. If I can't run fast I should at least start and finish the race on my feet. My mind was playing tricks on me "Takbo lang, bawal maglakad". I made a pact with myself, if I walk I don't eat lunch. The voice inside my mind stopped, gutom na ako hehe.

I quickened my pace to reach Blue Pants. She had a good pace, pwede ko siguro sabayan to pabalik I thought. I was wrong hehe, she was faster than I was. I pushed myself for the last kilometer but pulled away at the last minute. Baka maubusan ng gas si Daddy hehe.



I turned the road towards the finish line looking for Jen and Jacob. I can't seem to find them. Daming tao, a crowd was forming along the sides of the road. Baka she's at the finish line. My fear was I was going to have a hard time looking for them baka they were late. Finally at a corner I saw Jen's smiling face. Si Jacob had this expression "What's going on, it's too hot outside. I'm bored" hehe. I waived at them and headed for the finish line.



Natapos din, after 2:22 mins I crossed the finish line and walked towards Jenny and Jacob. It felt good to run a long race after running my first 42km some 12 years ago, iba na talaga pag tumatanda, you FEEL everything hehe. It was tough but I guess I'm tougher, takot ako magutom hehe. More than the physical exercise running this race gave me a chance to see if I was still mentally tough. This cat lives to run another day hehe.



Minsan as you grow older it's more important to know that you can still take charge of yourself, to finish your race. I was happy to finish but was happier to see my family waiting for me at the finish line.

Now, nasan na ba yung number ng McDo hehe..

* Official time ko pala is 2:19:06, number 451 out of 717.

Monday, September 29, 2008

My Good Thing :)

Spent the afternoon in UP, my meeting got canceled so I had some alone time with myself. My scooter is sort of not yet legal since the plates are still with the LTO, I already paid for that but I guess the red tape is delaying the release of the actual plates. Bought some protective gear over the weekend, medyo I let myself go -- syempre safety first! next...porma hehe. The guys over at the store thought I was riding a big monster of a bike, yun pala 50cc lang, at least it looks cute.



Anyway, I just took the chance. I took the back door passing by Xavierville-Sikatuna road towards UP, walang MMDA dun so I guess it would be a less risky option. It was fun, there's something great about riding a scooter to UP, you get to avoid the killer traffic in Katipunan during rush hour. Great way to see things on two wheels. I saw some new restaurants in the area that I will check out soon.









After a few minutes I was in UP. I went to the UPM tambayan, walang tao as usual. It was too early for the regulars to be there, I went to Aling Amy's stall to drink some banana shake, not bad for 25 pesos. I noticed that they were selling a huge variety of goods nowadays, dati parang Coke and Chippy lang ang benta nila, and syempre Chocolate Mallows hehe.







I took the Vino for a quick tour of UP, dami namin napuntahan hehe. It's a good thing it wasn't raining and the sun was out, the acacia trees were in full bloom, green na green. A number of people were already running since it was already past 5pm.





I brought with me a book, I was planning to spend my time reading in Sunken but the rains made the grounds wet. Scrap that hehe...next time nalang. Pinaka-patawa sa lahat sa isang stoplight may mga naka big bikes hehe, lalo tuloy nagmukhang midget si Vino.

Maybe next time I'll bring along some food and have merienda there or something. Sana by then I already have my plates, hirap takasan ang batas ng MMDA hehe.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Sumbong kita sa Ate Ko!



Galing hehe! sana may ganyan tayo sa Pinas, retire na si Pacman e :)

Monday, September 22, 2008

Scooter Happy :)


Gawa kami ng sticker "TaranTODA"

I never thought riding a scooter would be this fun, hehe tama si Jen delayed ako ng 20 years kasi scooters or "the hopper(?)" was in fashion nung 80's lalo na sa South. Crap, oo nga kasi naman di uso yan dito sa North and syempre had an awful experience riding sa bike ng barkada ko, tatlo kami muntik nang sumemplang hehe, buti nalang the driver was 6'2, isang baba lang ng leg ayus na kami.


Sa loob ng isa pang 80's icon, the L300.

Don't get me wrong, I love walking and biking, if I had a choice sana lahat pwede i bike or lakarin nalang hehe. Saves you gas and you get to see more things. It's just that riding a scooter is more for leasure -- walang kahirap hirap hehe.


Ngiting aso hehe


Di marunong hehe

We got semi-identical black Vinos, 50CC haha (parang scooter ng ate mo or ng tita mo). I wish I was in Vietnam or sa Dumaguete where they ride the scooter/bike everyday, basta anything with 2 wheels ok. I wish I could ride this tiny scooter to Makati hehe thing is here in Manila that's close to impossible since the jeeps and buses rule the road. Wala pa dyan yung taxi.


Black Vino

I showed the scooter to Jacob, he was crying...antok na kasi. I'll show it to him again tom baka magbago isip nya.

Maybe I'll be able to bring this to UP one of these days (wala pa kasing plates), and syempre huli ako agad ng MMDA. Hmmm maybe a good idea also to bring this in Tagaytay, at least dun walang tao. I'm so happy, kulang nalang yung Voltes V na malaki na promise samin ng sister ko hehe..

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Pancit Monster



Tawa ng tawa may pancit naman sa bibig hehehe...

Vino Riders













Ms. Agnes King GM of Jethhol Caloocan.



Eto pa isa...

We're getting the units next week :) Funny di kami marunong mag scooter hehehe, well medyo lang :)

Friday, September 12, 2008

V is for Vino







Can't wait to take this scooter for a spin. Pero bago nyan I need to buy a helmet hehe...

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

This one is for my son Jacob



...who is fast asleep and playing in dreamland :)

Monday, September 8, 2008

UPM Party 2008

Sawa nako sa salabat, been sick lately. Actually kaming dalawa ni Jacob may sakit. Jen left for Vietnam with the girls, hehehe spent the weekend at home.

I thought about going to the UP Mountaineers applicants party but changed my mind last minute, baka magkasakit na naman ako or baka maging victim na naman ng kawasakan hehe (been a victim all my life lalo na when there's Gin around). Dami ko ng kwento dito parang ayaw ko na dagdagan hehe. Saw the pics, medyo nainggit ako haha...it looked so much fun, naisip ko pano kaya kung applicants kami this year nina Bunny? Hmmm isa lang yun.

Malamang wasted....for SURE wasted kami. Maaga pa lang.

















Panalo talaga UPM, bawi nalang sa climb mga laos katulad ko hehe.

More here.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

My 10


Bat kaya siya natatawa? must be playing with his Tito RJ :)

This is my first attempt to make a list of things I love, just general stuff that make me happy. Why make this list? I'm always busy but when I have free time I like to ponder on such things so I can compare when I'm a bit older.

Spending time with Jacob and Jenny - Not those wild birthday parties or family get together but more just walking around UP doing nothing. It gives me great pleasure to see Jacob running around without a care in the world.

Falling flat on his face and getting up again...takbo ulit as if nothing happened. Jenny nervous look as she tags along. Sooner or later he'll have his own life (hmmm maybe that's thinking way ahead) and leave home. These images I would like to take with me.

Getting lost - Having no plan IS THE PLAN. Sometimes I just like to leave my car and ride the MRT, destination unknown (well, not really basta dapat along EDSA lang). It's cool since most of my day is scheduled, there are some days that pass so fast I hardly notice things around me. When I ride and just go with the flow I get to see people around me, I often wonder how their day went etc. I like going to lesser known malls around the metro, it's funny what you can find by just walking around.

Eating Pares, Lugaw, Tapsilog etc - "You are a creature of habit" that's what Jen would always say. Well I can't entirely say that's not true, I guess when you're on a budget most of your College life you develop a habit hehe...and one of my habits is eating Pinoy street food but not just any street food it has to be THAT EXACT BRAND. For Pares it has to be Jonas, for Lugaw it's Via Mare (well actually masarap yung Goodah dati kasi ngayon hindi na, ok din yung mga sa tapat ng BLTB bus station dati), for isaw it has to be Mang Larrys in UP, sa BBQ Beach House. I don't know, but after trying almost all of the known high end buffets here in Metro Manila, I still go back to the basics hehe. I'll probably go crazy if I can't have these things when I crave for them.

Jackets, shades and other mountaineering gear - Well this is a given, I guess when you experience hell when climbing you constantly dream of having the right gear. You're freezing to death and wish to God to send you a better tent...of course that doesn't come and a few years down the road you see a nice tent and remember how close you were to freezing yourself to death...ka-ching. Presto you have a tent. Hehehe well climbing is a different story. I guess I need to climb more often so they don't go to waste.

Doing something for nothing - The world we live in revolves around money and making money. I find that quite sad since I believe it destroys people. Don't get me wrong, I know how important it is but I guess what I don't get is the way some people handle what comes along with it - the power, fame, greed hehe. I guess doing something for nothing is my way to balance things out, to keep my mind focused on what's really important (hence this list). When you know how it's important to know WHY.

Spending some quality time with friends and family - This is quite rare now since we're quite busy with other things but when we do get together I want to make sure we have fun. The more mindless fun the better. I hope to be able to do this until I'm old.

Getting/Giving advise - My folks have advise for everything, I guess when you raise 8 kids you develop a knack for giving advise. Some are ok and quite sensible but some are quite weird and a bit funny. I'll get what I can from all sources - from my folks, cab drivers, kids etc, the rest is I just have to experience for myself hehe.

This part is a bit tricky since I never sugar quote when I give out advice. Never.
Kaya naman it's often that I hear from Jen na "masakit ako magsalita". I don't know, maybe I feel that if I hold back or don't say it as it is then it's like not saying anything at all. Pero I'm trying to correct this since women in general will SEEK YOUR ADVICE but will most likely just want you to HEAR THEM OUT hehe. Hehe funny but true.

Being on time - On the flip side I hate people who are always late. This I guess is the result of my training in UPM, if you're late you're out. Don't know how I became this way, looking back in College I was always late for everything,I once got an additional "3" for being late (.5 per day) for a plate. My final grade was a 7, may utang pa ako hehe. Except my "classes' in UP Mountaineers (UPM).

My clock is set 15 minutes early, I'm usually an hour early during meetings. For me being on time is your way of showing respect. You can always argue about work but you can't argue when you're late. My name is Ninoy and I'm a Time Freak.

Jacob laughing - This does not make me happy, it makes me very happy it melts my heart. My son has his moods but lately he's been laughing more often, as in laughing at anything. He laughs while watching Tom and Jerry (but I also saw him laugh at John McCain). Maybe John McCain is funny. Will see his reaction to Obama.


Tawang tawa si Boss

Jenny - My wife takes forever to comb her hair and generally fix up. One day the time freak in me will time just how long this activity takes. Fix hair, check dress. change dress, fix hair...change shoes, fix hair, put on make-up.

Pause for effect (this takes a few seconds). Changes dress again.

It drives me crazy lalo na when we're pressed for time and I have to load all our things sa car aka Noah Ark (yes, ganun kadami gamit ni Boss Jacob)

Well, even if it takes an eternity, I have to admit I like watching her when she prepares to go out, she has that "pixie" look that drives me crazy (hence the 2nd child on the way hehe).

On second thought, to hell with time...I'll just sit back relax and enjoy the view.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008