Max Ehrmann's 'Desiderata'

Walk in peace - this was how I felt when I visited this picturesque piece of history.
Marie Antoinette's Estate, Versailles, France
Photo by: Atty. Cashmer

A repost from my old blog.
About the poem:    Desiderata (Latin: desired things), a prose poem written by American author Max Ehrmann in 1927.  Copies in poster form started to circulate in the mid-60s.  In 1967, the prose went mainstream as recited by artist Leonard Nimoy, calling it “Spock Thoughts”.  – Wikipedia.org

What it means to me:  This poem is a gem! A theater director handed me a copy of Desiderata twenty years ago; she even asked me to memorize it.  The poem turned out to be ‘a gift’.  A couple of months ago, for the first time in N years, I had to dig it out of a virtual treasure chest, for there are moments that warrant the need to read something relevant; for us to be reminded of things, which we already know.  After all, wellness is not just about a fit physique, but it also goes together with our our mental and emotional well-being.  

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Desiderata

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. 

As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. 

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in  the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not
distress yourself with dark imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have the right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.  Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. 

With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. 

Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy.

From my travel compilation
Blooms at Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam - capturing a thing of beauty through the stillness of a portrait.
Photo by Atty Cashmer.

Bingo Bonanza National Open Tournament

Inviting all badminton players / enthusiasts...

RiCo Corn Rice Makes Healthy, Yummy!

In pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, there is no need to deprive ourselves of the pleasure of a good meal. With RiCo Corn Rice, we can have the best of both worlds. 

Rico corn rice is made from 100% Philippine-grown corn fortified with iron and calcium. It tastes just like regular rice, but provides the nutrition of corn. Each grain is naturally rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, as well as beta-carotene and lutein for good eyesight. As a complex carbohydrate, corn provides sustained energy. It is ideal for athletes and those who lead active lifestyles. Corn is known for its high fiber content, a quality valued by the figure-conscious. In addition, corn has no cholesterol and has lower glycemic index for controlled and balanced blood sugar that is ideal for diabetics and weight watchers. 

Incorporating RiCo corn rice into the daily routine is fairly simple. Its preparation is not far from what we are accustomed to. At the recent launch of RiCo, RiCo’s very own Chef Joey dela Cruz demonstrated the three easy steps of cooking RiCo: boil, pour, and simmer. Boil the suggested amount of water. Then, pour the desired amount of RiCo. Finally, simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes. To prevent loss of water-soluble nutrients, the grains should not be washed. If a loose and fluffy consistency or buhaghag is preferred, RiCo should be cooked like pasta: boil the water, put in RiCo, and then, drain. RiCo retains its yellow hue even after it is cooked, making it very visually appealing and a hit among children.

During the launch, Chef Jessie Sincioco demonstrated the versatility of the ingredient through a sit-down meal of mesclun greens salad with prawn RiCo pops, minestrone with RiCo, a main course of pan-fried codfish fillet in pommery mustard sauce and grilled chicken breast in creamy pepper sauce served with RiCo pilaf and sautéed French beans, and RiCo crocant roll. At home, you can use RiCo in your daily favorites such as sinangag, java rice, yang chow rice, and paella.

The locally produced RiCo is a first from the Philippines. Aside from making healthy yummy, this innovation also provides increased livelihood for our farmers and develops our country’s natural resources.

RiCo is available in 1-kilogram, 2-kilogram, and 5-kilogram packs at SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Rustan’s Supermarket, Walter Mart Supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, Ever Supermarket, The Landmark Supermarket, Sta. Lucia East Supermarket, Pioneer Centre Supermart, Hi-Top Supermart, Cherry Foodarama, South Supermarket, NCCC Supermarket, Gaisano Mall, and other leading supermarkets nationwide.

For more information and recipes, visit www.yummyhealthy.ph. You may also click on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/yummyhealthylife. Follow the news about RiCo on Instagram via www.instagram.com/yummyhealthylife and Twitter via www.twitter.com/yummyhealthyph.

Meowth's verdict

Taste:  4/5 - Yummy!  It blends quite well with staple Pinoy viands (ulam).

Texture: 4/5 - Corn rice is more filling so you tend to eat less carbs.

Nutrition:  5/5  - If you have dietary restriction due to health problem, consult your physician

Price:  3/5 - About PHP 72.00 per kilo, PHP 125.00 per 2 kilos. 

Preparation:  4/5 - It should be cooked like pasta - boil, pour, simmer. It takes about 10-15min.

Should I recommend this product to friends?  Yes!  :)  

Life in Motion with Garmin

As fitness, sports, and health rapidly grip Filipinos' passions and everyday lives, technology must adapt with agility.  Garmin, a worldwide pioneer and leader in GPS, is a premier player in a new trend in technology.  Harnessing the power of GPS, Garmin has developed a broad portfolio of wearable products with a set of functionality beyond navigation.

The Vivofit, Garmin's fitness band retails at only PHP 6450.  It's perfect for those who are just getting started on the path to a healthier lifestyle.  It displays your steps, calories, distance, and even your heart rate.  It's the only fitness band that greets you with a personalized daily goal, tracks your progress, and tells you when it's time to move. Plus, it boasts of a battery life that can last up to one year.  

For those who live a more active lifestyle, there's a matching Garmin best seller for you - the Forerunner 15. At PHP 11550, the Forerunner tracks your distance, pace, and calories.  It also identifies your personal records and provides motivation along the way (which really helps, especially when you're running at a faster pace, or longer distance). 

Garmin is all about life in motion.  There are Garmin products for those who love to trek, run, bike, swim, travel, drive, or play golf.  

Check out Garmin's newly opened concept store at 3/F Glorietta 5 - and see how Garmin can help set you for a life in motion.  

Garmin Glorietta 5 

For product update, you may also visit the Garmin Center in Facebook.

Ann + Running = Forever (Version 2.0)

#AnnPlusRunningEqualsForeverVersion1  

Running has always been therapeutic.  It effectively drives unnecessary stress out of my system.  

#AnnPlusRunningEqualsForeverVersion2

I have a whole new reason to get back in shape (must), conservatively train for a half mary (nice), or aggressively train for a full marathon (extreme). 

Running has become even more personal these days, because of my new-found commitment to join the fight against the Bad 'C' - in preventive mode, of course. Whoever believes in 'an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure' is never old-fashioned.  There is a whole lot more to life.  Therefore, life is addicting.  =)

SCMS_2011 - My first offshore full marathon.  Nostalgic, as a new journey to wellness awaits.  

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#RunningAndMyFavoriteThings

I've been using these products for quite sometime.  The benefits are: safety, keeping injuries at bay, and more enjoyable runs.  

1. When I did my first three full marathons between 2011 and 2012, I was always training with the ever user-friendly Garmin Forerunner 110.  It is a complete package; it tracks time, pace, distance, and comes with a heart rate monitor.  I'm literally guarding and listening to my heart while running.  Smart.

Grabbed from Garmin.com

Just in:  I'm delighted by the news that Garmin is opening its first concept store in Manila, November 2014.  Being a runner and a self-confessed 'tapered' shopaholic (paradox), training days are more exciting with a new arm candy.  :)

2.  The best pair of running shoes I ever had (to date):  Saucony Type A5.  This pair made me believe in love at first sight...er, that I can run in minimalist shoes injury-free and live happily ever after...I felt inclined to post my first shoe review.  

However, wear-and-tear drove this lovely pair to end-of-life, and it retired from the shoe rack.  I could not find a replacement, so I am about to try its successor - Saucony Type A6.

3.  Yurbuds Inspire 300 for Women.  True to its promise - won't fall out.  It does not totally block the noise from the surroundings, for safety purposes.  

Grabbed from Yurbuds.com

4.  Injinji Performance Toesock.  Light. Comfortable. My feet are spared from blisters.

Grabbed from Injinji.com

5.  Nathan Hydration Belt.  A must-have for long distance and trail runs. What I like about it - lightweight, does not bounce, and does not cause chafing 

Nathansports.com

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Disclaimer:  This is a personal write-up; a way for me to share my experience in using the featured products.   I do not work for these brands, or any of their trade partners.

Making Strides Against the Bad 'C'

I did not go on sabbatical leave.  I was on a not-so-ordinary journey with my family.  For that, no blog entries for two months.  Today, I want to write again.  My first update in two months should be about family, faith, and doing something to prevent cancer. 

Fighting cancer is a family ordeal.  This is what we went through for my aunt.  We saw up close the face of cancer.  I pray that mankind finally finds a cure for it. We have the ability to heal our souls through strong faith and sense of community, but the physical cure to stop cancer for good may be a few years away. 

March 2014 - After her 58th birthday party, smile - keep calm - believe - stay strong. 

It has been two months since my aunt started her journey to Heaven. I can imagine her now so happy and complete.  It was her lifelong aspiration to be with God. I miss her.  One good thing about not getting over the loss of someone you love so dearly - you know that someone lives in your heart forever.  My aunt continues to inspire me in so many ways. Her life on earth was rather short, but she holds a long list of people whose lives she touched in a positive way.

My Dear Tita Lou -  a true servant leader
June 2013 - 1.5 years after her mastectomy and chemotherapy.

The fight against cancer may be quite far from over. While mankind awaits cure, there is such a thing as prevention.  We can win.

Grabbed from kksphotos.com 

I may not have funds to donate big time to cancer research, but I've got time on my hands. For two weeks now, I started going back to my wellness routine, that is mostly running.  I have been wanting to carry this initiative to the office where I spend most of my waking hours, five days a week.  I invited several people from work, who want to become or stay fit to jog after office at least twice a week.  We do get a lot of stress at work, both positive and negative. Many times have we been warned about the downside of a sedentary lifestyle, of spending long hours in the office.  Now, we are taking a conscious effort to become fit, shake off stress, and bond after work the healthy way.  I hope this counts as my contribution for now.  

My running paraphernalia are also ready to make strides against cancer.  

Run United Philippine Marathon 2014

Get ready for Run United Philippine Marathon 2014! Register now and be part of this much-anticipated annual marathon event by Unilab.  

When: October 5, 2014 
Categories:  Growee 500m, Enervon HP 10km, Alaxan FR 21km, and Enervon Activ 42km 
Venue:  Seaside Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Race Organizer:  RUNRIO
Beneficiary:  Gawad Kalinga

Registration Fee
• PHP350 - Growee 500m
• PHP800 - Enervon HP 10km
• PHP900 - Alaxan FR 21km
• PHP1300 - Enervon Activ 42km

Registration Venue
• RUNNR Store BGC. B1 Bonifacio High St. The Fort, Taguig City
• Toby’s Galleria. 3F Robinson’s Galleria, EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
• Toby’s SM North. SM North – The Block G/F, North Ave. cor. EDSA Quezon City
• Toby’s MOA. SM Mall of Asia, G/F Entertainment Hall, Roxas Blvd, Manila
• Online registration is also available.  Just follow this link:  RUPM 2014 online registration

Assembly Time and Gun Start
• Growee 500m - 6:00am - 7:00am
• Enervon HP 10km - 4:00am - 5:00am
• Alaxan FR 21km - 3:00am - 4:00am
• Enervon Activ 42km - 2:00am - 3:00am

RUPM 2014 Singlet

RUPM 2014 Finisher Shirt - 21km

RUPM 2014 Finisher Shirt - 42km

RUPM 2014 Finisher Medal

For more information, please visit Unilab Active Health's official website.

Baby Groovee: To sell or not to sell?

When it boils down to giving up one in order to make room for another.

Should I say goodbye to thee?

From my bag closet :  a Classic Q Baby Groovee satchel - Marc by Marc Jacobs, genuine Italian calf leather, classic Marc Jacobs hardware, a perfect day-to-night bag.  

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From my old blog, back in the day when I was obsessed about bags:
Triumph, Tribulation, and the Bags I Bought

HP Run 2014 Preliminary Details

[Official Announcement, as posted at HP Run's Official Facebook Page]

When: October 19, 2014
Where: Bonifacio Global City Taguig
Registration period is from August 1 to August 31 only! 

The proceeds of the run will provide assistance to complement the e-Health infrastructure that will be installed by HP In Tacloban City. All of this will go to Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF).

For any questions with regard to this year's run, you may email the HP Run Core Team (hprunph@hp.com), or get in touch with them through their Official Facebook Page.  

Race route, registration link, and singlet design will be posted soon.

Happy Friday runners!

#hprun2014

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Running: let's make it matter.  Meowth supports HP Run 2014.  Paws up!  =)

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2014

Public registration opens on July 16, 11 AM.  This includes both online and walk-in registration. An exclusive launch is set at Ion Orchard on the 16th where the first 100 runners to sign up (in person) get to join for only $1. 

Marathon day is on December 7, 2014.  

I'm all dreamy for SCMS...for the second time!  

For more information, please visit the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2014 official website.  

Starting Over Again

After months of attempting success for #thecubsproject, BFD and I have yet to see a new starting line called parenthood.  

Whereas infertility work up is not the most exciting medical event in the world, I had to stop training for half- and full-marathons in order to appease some hormones...in fact, I stopped running altogether.  From there, I witnessed how my fitness level dropped next to lethargic.  

I went back to my old blog to remind myself how delighted I was for every chance at running. It was the experience of being in the zone, the autonomy - the pace, distance, where I was heading (psychologically - in my life) and most importantly, the happy feeling that went with it; though sometimes I was under a lot of stress that I had to clear my thoughts while running. Rain or shine, I ran.  It was all beautiful - as if all elements were in harmony after each run. I hardly got sick, too.  

I want it back. So badly.  

I'm running again...again and again...until I get back that in-the-zone feeling.  If I stop, then I will start again.  

Oh, and #thecubsproject?  They will come when they have to.  

About 3 years ago, when running along Roxas Boulevard in Manila meant 'zoned out'.  

While running, there has to be some good music, too.  #Coldplay

Milo's Help Give Shoes Advocacy

The National MILO® Marathon is the biggest running event in the country, with an immense popularity that has attracted runners from all age groups to participate, including kids. Speaking of kids, a lot of driven young runners do not have shoes. Imagine seeing a little boy run kilometer after kilometer on rough cement barefoot. This moving scene inspired MILO® to make every year’s run more meaningful, by giving out running shoes to deserving public school children. 

The root of this advocacy lies in MILO®’s belief that they are not only providing children with running shoes, but also giving them something that they can wear to school, for sports, and other activities. It is definitely a step to help them reach their true potential and be the best that they can be. In 2010, the National MILO® Marathon provided 4,200 running shoes to public school children nationwide with the “Help Give Shoes” advocacy. Since its inception, MILO has donated a total of 34,200 pairs of shoes across the country.

The running event continues the advocacy with an aim to donate 160 pairs of running shoes to 100 students in 100 schools in select Typhoon Yolanda-hit cities —amounting to 16,000 more pairs of shoes and dreams fulfilled. In the same way that Nestle has been a part of Filipinos lives throughout generations, the National MILO Marathon invites Filipinos to be part of the cause to help make the shoe-less child today a champion tomorrow.

PhP10 from every registration fee will be allotted to the advocacy. MILO will then match the proceeds and work with the Department of Education to select 16,000 public school student beneficiaries in Tacloban, Ormoc, and Eastern Samar cities. MILO aims to reach its 50,000 advocacy mark by the end of the 38th marathon season.

Takbo na!  

38th National Milo Marathon - Manila Elims

The MILO® Marathon is the longest-running and most-attended marathon in the Philippines. Since its inception in 1974, more and more people have joined, making it MILO®'s biggest and grandest sports event. Every year, more and more participants run different distances, supporting MILO®'s mission to build a nation of champions!

Manila Race Date and Venue

July 27, 2014  SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Registration Fee
42 km - PhP 750.00
21 km - PhP 630.00
10 km - PhP 530.00
5 km - PhP 110.00
3 km - PhP 80.00
Note: Plus one (1) MILO 300g empty pack

Registration Sites
Toby's MOA
Toby's Shangrila
Toby's SM North Edsa
RUNNR BHS
MOVE (BHS, near track 30th)

Assembly Time and Gun Start
42 km - 3:00 AM
21 km - 4:30 AM
10 km - 5:00 AM
3 km - 5:30 AM
5 km - 5:35 AM

Cut-off Time per Race Category
42 km : 6 hrs after the official start of the race
21 km : 2.5 hrs after the official start of the race
10 km : 1.5 hrs after the official start of the race
5 km   : 1 hr after the official start of the race
3 km   : 1 hr after the official start of the race

Marathon Qualifying Time per Age Bracket
18-34 : 3 hrs 55 mins (men); 4 hrs 30 mins (women)
35-39 : 4 hrs 00 mins (men); 4 hrs 35 mins (women)
40-44 : 4 hrs 05 mins (men); 4 hrs 40 mins (women)
45-49 : 4 hrs 10 mins (men); 4 hrs 45 mins (women)
50-54 : 4 hrs 15 mins (men); 4 hrs 50 mins (women)
55-59 : 4 hrs 20 mins (men); 4 hrs 55 mins (women)
60-64 : 4 hrs 25 mins (men); 5 hrs 00 mins (women)
65-69 : 4 hrs 30 mins (men); 5 hrs 05 mins (women)
70-up : 5 hrs 40 mins (men); 5 hrs 50 mins (women)

For more details, please follow this link to the Milo Marathon's official website - http://www.milo.com.ph

Kape pa!

Babala:  Isa itong madamdaming akda.

Nais ko magbigay-pugay sa ika-116 na taon ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas. Sa araw na ito ay mararapatin ko na ilathala sa wikang Tagalog ang aking akda sa blog na ito.

Muling nagmula ang pagbabalik-tanaw sa makulay na kasaysayan ng Pilipinas sa isang tasang kape.  Sa higit dalawang dekada na laman ng diwa ko ang mga mensahe ng Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, patuloy pa din ako nagtatanong tungkol sa tunay na lunas ng kanser ng lipunan at kailan ito tuluyang masusugpo. Mga malungkot na tanong...na tuwing tinatanong ko sa sarili ko, hindi ko maiwasan na mangilid ang luha sa aking mga mata.  Kagaya ng marami sa ating mga Filipino, mahal ko ang Pilipinas. Mas pinili ko ang manatili dito dahil inaasam ko na kahit paano ay makakatulong ako sa pagbangon nito.  Anong petsa na nga ba ulit?  Ano na ang nangyari?  

Mukhang kulang pa din ang pagboto nang maayos, kung marami naman sa mga kababayan natin ang patuloy na nagbebenta ng boto sa mga tiwaling politiko.  Lima hanggang isang libong piso na halaga ng bawat boto para sa pansamantalang pagtawid sa gutom, na ang kapalit naman ay ang milyung-milyong buwis ng mga manggagawang Pilipino na sana ay nailaan sa pagsulong ng mga programang pang-edukasyon, pangkabuhayan, at imprastraktura.

Nakakapagod na din na buwan-buwan na magbayad ng wasto at tamang buwis, gayong talamak naman ang pagnanakaw ng mga ilang tiwaling opisyal ng gobyerno sa ilan or maaring bawat sangay nito.

Nakakasawa rin ang pagbali sa mga panuntunan at batas na magbibigay proteksyon sa interest ng mga mamimil, pati na rin ng kalikasan; ang patuloy na mentalidad ng ilan nating kababayan na iasa sa gobyerno ang pagbibigay ng tahanan at kuryente gayong hindi naman sila nagbabayad ng buwis, o ang pagtira sa mga pangunahing daluyan ng tubig na nagiging pangunahing sanhi ng malawakang pagbaha.  

Tuwing lumalabas ako ng ating bansa, lagi kong baon sa isip ko ang Pilipinas...na tila dumadalas na hindi ko na ito maiwasan ikumpara sa iba.  Bakit ang ibang bansa maunlad, tayo hindi? Gayong mayroon naman tayong kapasidad na tulungan ang ating mga sarili?

Hindi ako maka-kaliwa, ngunit nanatili ako mulat sa mga pangyayari sa lipunan na aking ginagalawan. Ngunit sa pagkakataon na ito gusto ko lamang ipahayag na pagod na ako magpagnakawan ng buwis, mapagkaitan ng mga pangunahing serbisyo publiko at imprastraktura, na makakakita ng maraming kababayan natin ang naghihirap pa din at tila mas nanaisin ng ilang politiko na manatili silang mangmang, mabagal na pag-usad ng hustisya, ang malawak na pagkasira ng ating kalikasan - na tila napapansin lamang kapag nagdaan na ang isang kalamidad.

Sana naman hindi ako naging masokista para ilagay pa dito ang larawan na ito mula sa Philippine Daily Inquirer, nailathala nito lamang mga nagdaang araw. Sapul na sapol sa kanser na matagal nang iniinda ng lipunan. Malala na talaga. Kung ang kape na nasa harap ko ngayon ay isang alak o gamot na makakapagpamanhid sa akin...oo, kape pa!  

photo grabbed from http://www.inquirer.net
from the article http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/609893/42-graft-raps-filed-vs-estrada-enrile-revilla-napoles

From Barefoot Runner to Marathon Master

Great Things Start from Small Beginnings

Unbeknownst to many, Coach Rio’s childhood was mired by hardship. His family struggled with poverty for many years while he was growing up, making it difficult for him to get an education and pursue his training in running. He has gone through it all: from selling “ice-tubig” as an 8-year old, walking several kilometers to and from school, to winning championships and organizing the biggest marathons in the country today. His life so far has truly been a journey.

Coach Rio recalls how he was once one of those barefoot runners, as a fifth grader competing in a track meet without shoes, and winning the 50-m sprint, 100-m sprint, long jump, and high jump events nevertheless. When he reached sixth grade, Coach Rio was able to join his first competitive distance race at the National MILO Marathon, in which he ran barefoot in the 5K category and won first place —an event that was very memorable to him and continues to be very close to his heart. “When I see these kids who run barefoot, I am reminded of how I used to be one of them. I never gave up on my dreams and I trained as hard as I could,” Rio shares. “I want kids to realize that despite their difficulties in life, they can still achieve their dreams and be the best if they work hard and persevere.”

Speaking from Experience

After winning races in the UAAP and countless marathons, Coach Rio also competed in several international running events such as the Paris Marathon and Boston Marathon. Apart from his extensive experience in the sport, it is also by his hard-earned diploma in Physical Education at the UP College of Human Kinetics that Coach Rio earned his salt as a bona fide running coach. Most of his clientele include top-ranking business executives, celebrities and elite runners, but it is his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for running prompted Coach Rio to take it a step further and become a race organizer. Today, he has positioned himself as one of the country’s most trusted names in organizing marathon events. 

Despite the challenges of balancing running training, academics and working odd jobs to earn money for food and basic necessities, Coach Rio believes that his college degree is his biggest achievement. He urges students to value their education, and to continue their schooling despite obstacles they may face. “I felt that running could be a stepping stone for me, so I pursued it. Finishing college was my dream so I trained hard and was able to get a scholarship. Education, especially a college degree, is important because if you do not succeed as an athlete, if you get injured, or when you retire from sports, you have something to fall back on,” says Coach Rio. “There will be many times when you have to sacrifice other things in order to focus on your studies. As much as you want to excel in your sport, you must not forget that finishing your education is still one of the biggest triumphs in life.”

Coach Rio also highlights the importance of the values he learned from running and applying them to his life. “Aside from hard work and determination, running taught me how to be responsible, overcome obstacles and stay committed to my goals. These values are learned not only in running, but in all other sports,” Rio explains. “But the most important thing I’ve learned is how to cultivate my passion in order to achieve my dreams. I believe that if I put my heart and mind into something, I will surely achieve it.” He makes sure to impart these lessons to people as he continues to inspire Filipinos to persevere in running for their dreams, especially the underprivileged youth. “We always hear about how poverty is not a hindrance to success, and I can say that my achievements are testament to that,” he proudly shares. “If I can do it, anybody can. No matter how hard life pushes you back, pick yourself up and keep on pursuing your dreams.”

The Race Goes On

Coach Rio will continue to organize the National MILO Marathon. This sporting event, with its rich history, expanding scope and growing attraction from hundreds of thousands of participants, is testament to MILO’s longstanding commitment to develop the Philippine athletic community and inspiring athletic excellence among Filipino runners especially the youth.

“Now that I will soon be a father, I will surely impart the values I learned from running to my child. Maybe, someday, we can run the National MILO Marathon together and if we do, I am fortunate enough to say that my kid will never have to run shoeless like i did. But if there’s one legacy I would like to give him, it would be to inspire him to reach for his dreams and become a champion in life, no matter how difficult it may seem.”

*photo grabbed from OneSport Magazine

*article from Milo

Lenten Season

Holy Week:  When we need to slow down a bit and reflect...

I'm feeling inclined to share the most recent letter I received from the Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy, or better known as The Pink Sisters.

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People flock to the Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy to pray.  The serene ambiance of the Convent, plus the cool Tagaytay weather make up for a conducive spiritual retreat.
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Getting there:  The Convent is in the heart of Tagaytay City. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours of driving to reach Tagaytay City from Manila.  If you've been wanting to visit the Convent, just follow this link.

Related post from my old blog:  A Very Special Love Letter