Bye, 2015!

Bye, 2015!  You've been so good to me.  Thank you for all the memories and lessons.
Thank you, Lord.

Gucci Canvas Tote: To sell or not to sell?

I said it before.  I will say it again.  

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

Should I say goodbye to you?

Description:  Gucci Supreme Canvas Tote Bag

Color:  Dark blue and grey

Material:  Coated GG canvas (resistant to dirt and scratch), with leather straps

Type:  Medium tote bag, all-around bag, made in Italy 

Interior:  Cloth lining, one inner pocket, zipper 

Condition:  Very good condition, well-maintained (I bring my bags to Doctor Leather for cleaning. A visit also includes checking of the leather lining/trim for any signs of wear and tear.)

I bought it from a Gucci boutique along Canton Road in Hong Kong.  It is a sturdy bag that can hold stuff, e.g., wallet, cellphone, cosmetic kit, small folding umbrella, and a 12 oz. water tumbler.  At times, I use it to carry A4-size documents stacked in a hard folder or magazine pages (to keep the documents neat).  

For the bag's sentimental value, I have been thinking about selling it to a friend who knows how to take care of bags.

Click to enlarge image.

Design Challenge #1

How to transform a small living space into a (minimalist) halfway home?  

This kept me up for two nights in a row, since I want to tackle this gargantuan task as a personal project. I am not an interior designer by profession, but the inclination to transform a small room into a living space with a homey vibe is strong...Too much Star Wars, perhaps.  'The force is strong with this one.'  

I am also starting to enjoy visiting home stores in the Metro and online.  It is beginning to feel like the 'new normal.'  #MarriedLife  #MidLifeActivities

Any suggestions?

Grabbed from Curtain Ideas

Grabbed from Tabipara.com

LG and ONE Championship Unite for Charity

Consumer electronics giant LG Electronics teamed up with the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, ONE Championship to bring about the intense “ONE Championship: Spirit of Champions” match to the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Headlining the much-awaited Heavyweight World Champion Division were top-ranking heavyweight champions, Brandon “The Truth” Vera versus Paul “Typhoon” Cheng. Vera conquered the octagon and was thus crowned as the ONE Championship Heavyweight World Champion. LG also presented the Flyweight match between Ana Julaton and Irina Marzepa, with Marzepa emerging as the winner.

Prior to the match, LG Electronics and ONE Championship visited Pangarap Foundation in Manila. This foundation provides shelter and care for underprivileged children, as well as livelihood training programs to ensure a self-sufficient future. Pangarap Foundation kids were thrilled to meet MMA legend and ONE Championship Vice President Rich Franklin, who taught them the basics of dodgeball, an American schoolyard classic.

After a fun afternoon of play, LG unveiled another surprise for the foundation: a premium Smart TV, with free access to epic ONE Championship matches and thousands of other materials, set up in the facility’s common area. Access to the LG Smart World App Store will greatly contribute to the kids’ recreational and bonding activities.

Amway Nutrilite Health Run 2016

Join Nutrilite Health Run today and help gift a child with a good book tomorrow. A portion of your registration will be donated to Amway One by One Campaign for Children. So be part of the Nutrilite Health Run and help a child read his way to a brighter future.

REGISTRATION FEE
PHP 350 inclusive of a shirt, race bib and car sticker

RACE DATES

• January 24, 2016 – SM Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City
• February 14, 2016 – ADC CDO Perla Compania De Seguros Bldg., Don Apolinar Velez St., Cagayan De Oro City
• February 21, 2016 – ADC Davao Unit A Lim Bldg., cor. Quimpo Blvd. and Tulip Drive Ecoland, Matina, Davao City

REGISTRATION SITES

1.   AMWAY Distribution Centers:

• Makati - G/F Ace Building, Rada St., Legaspi Vill. Makati City / Tel No.: (02) 893-0571 / 840-2209 
• Mandaluyong - Unit 3 Mayflower Building, 88 United St., Greenfield District Mandaluyong City / Tel. No.: (02)475-8255 
• Davao

• Cagayan de Oro 

2.  Runnr Store - BGC 
3.  Runnr Store – Trinoma 
4.  Toby’s Sports – SM MOA

REGISTRATION PROMOS

1.  5+1 RUNNERS PROMO
     Get ONE (1) Nutrilite Health Run Race Kit for FREE when you register together with 

     your FIVE (5) friends (ABO or Non-ABO)

2.  DOUBLE X DOUBLE UP PROMO
     Get ONE (1) Nutrilite Double X 6-Day Foil Pack for FREE when you sponsor a new ABO      and activate with PHP 1,500 worth of Nutrilite products.

o Promo Period is until February 28, 2016 only
o Promo is on while supplies last basis only

RACE FINISHERS WILL GET:

• Nutrilite Drawstring Bag
• Nutrilite Pen
• FREE sign-up for non-Amway Business Owners
• PHP 500 Gift Voucher for ABO Finishers

RAFFLE PRIZES

• PHP 10,000 product coupon
• iPad Mini
• iPod Touch
• Consolation prizes 

ROUTE

5 KM Category

10 KM Category

20th Alaska Football Cup Championship

Two decades of commitment with the world’s most popular sport, Alaska Milk holds the 20th Alaska Football Cup at the Alabang Country Club in Ayala Alabang Village for a three-day event, November 28 – 30.

The biggest football event for young athletes attracted players of all ages, from as young as six years old. They have gathered to participate in one of the longest-running and most successful grassroots-development programs in the local football scene.

“This marks another monumental event for Alaska. We have 410 teams and a total of 6,150 football players together in one venue, all united by their love for football,” shares Wilfred Uytengsu, President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation. “It is of great pride to witness how the Alaska Sports Program has engaged young athletes into this kind of culture, and how they live by the values inherent in sports,” he further adds.

The Alaska Football Cup is one of the highly anticipated annual football tournament for today’s young athletes. The weekend event will be played with more than 800 seven-a-side games, in 29 football fields, and officiated by over 168 game officials.

School teams and football clubs from all over the Philippines including Masbate, Baguio, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Davao, Palawan, Legaspi, Laguna, Batangas, Bukidnon, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Ilocos, Bicol, Romblon, Davao Sur, Compostela Valley, Quezon, Cavite, Albay, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mindoro and Metro Manila will participate.

Alaska on developing the child’s “winning form”
Alaska Milk encourages sports engagement, as it instills the values of determination, discipline, hard work, team work and sportsmanship during the early stages of a child’s life. Participation in sports like football helps them achieve the “winning form”, which has been Alaska’s goal for children since it launched its first football cup tournament in 1995.

Football provides an active alternative for children in place of passive activities such as watching television, surfing the Internet, or spending too much time on social media. The National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) reported that health issues are best addressed by adopting an active lifestyle along with healthy diet, and regular drinking of milk, at least twice daily.

Sports tournament like this develops the athletic and social skills of participants through healthy competition among the same age group, while it boosts physical and mental development. Become an inspiring athlete too and join Alaska’s sports programs - NUTRITION. ACTION. CHAMPION.

World no. 1 tennis legend Serena Williams to headline Philippine Mavericks in IPTL 2015

[Press Release]

MANILA, November 26, 2015 – The country’s most powerful broadband PLDT HOME Fibr is set to bring in the world’s top tennis players for season two of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) once again.

 

Commencing on December 2 in Kobe, Japan, the IPTL’s three-day Manila-leg will be played from December 6-8 at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of a five-nation tour. Scheduled stops at New Delhi, Dubai, and Singapore will follow.

 

Headlining this year’s crop of tennis superstars for the newly-branded Philippine Mavericks team is none other than the current number one Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) pro, Serena Williams.

Grabbed from IPTL's Official Website

Known as ‘Meka’ and ‘Momma Smash’, Williams has won the most major singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles combined for active players, male or female. Her assault on the four major tennis competitions, also known as the Grand Slam—the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, played in that order—has elevated Williams to such lofty status that winning four of those tournaments in a row is now referred to as a “Serena Slam”.

 

She has achieved this twice in her career: once between 2002 and 2003, and recently with her win at the 2014 US Open and through the first three Grand Slams of 2015. Williams holds a total of 34 Grand Slam titles, putting her seventh on the record books.

 

Only the fourth player in WTA history to reach 250 weeks as the world’s top seed, Williams recently surpassed Chris Evert, who was ranked number one by a total of 260 weeks, by an additional week. The only players ahead of Williams are the retired greats Martina Navratilova (332 weeks) and Steffi Graf (377 weeks). Since Williams still actively competes and shows no signs of slowing down, it is likely that she will soon hold the all-time record.

 

A powerful server, Williams was once clocked at a peak serve of 128.6 mph (207.0 km/h), the third fastest in history, putting her behind her sister Venus (at 129 mph) and Sabine Lisicki (131 mph).

 

Accompanying Williams on the Philippine squad are Mixed Doubles Grand Slam titleholder Richard Gasquet, Wimbledon Championships WTA titleholder Lisicki, 2013 Australian Open Mixed Doubles titleholder Jarmila Gajdosova, the youngest Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) top 100 Borna Coric, ATP World Tour Doubles titleholder and Pinoy pride Treat Huey, and World No. 8 in men’s singles and Mavericks Team captain Mark Philippoussis.

 

The IPTL format will be similar to 2014, where world-class tennis pros will be grouped to represent teams from India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Japan as an added fifth team in 2015.

                                                                                                                                   

“With its expanded lineup, season two of IPTL is definitely going to be bigger and more extraordinary,” PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Director Gary Dujali said. “The competition features more than 30 international tennis superstars, and with legend Serena Williams serving up our very own Philippine Mavericks, PLDT HOME Fibr is very excited to bring this level of premier entertainment to our Filipino sports fans.”

As a treat to customers, all PLDT HOME Fibr subscribers are entitled to a 20 percent discount for their tickets to the IPTL Philippine leg. They also get a chance to win VIP tickets complete with a red carpet treatment—two-way rides via the luxury car service Uber Black so that they can arrive at MOA Arena and go home in style.

 

PLDT HOME Fibr delivers powerful Internet of up to 1 Gbps, allowing high-speed browsing of multiple websites and the country’s first symmetrical speed service. Recently, it launched the new PLDT HOME Fibr Plan 2899 which offers 50 Mbps. Customers who apply before January 31, 2016 will have their speed boosted to 100 Mbps for the first six months of their subscription.

 

For more information on the country’s most powerful broadband, visit pldthome.com/fibr.

-----------------------

Want to know more about IPTL?  Watch this.

  

Grabbed from the International Premier Tennis League's YouTube Channel

Under Armour's Curry Two

Global high-performance sports leader Under Armour, U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Stephen Curry and actor Jamie Foxx team up again in a new campaign to launch the highly acclaimed Curry Two shoe from Under Armour. The first basketball shoe to feature a full-length Charged Cushioning midsole unit and a UA SpeedForm seamless upper, the Curry Two was first unveiled by Curry during his tour of Asia on the Under Armour Road Show last September 6 in Shanghai, China, and will be available at retail globally

The new spot, created by award-winning agency Droga5 and entitled “Flash,” illuminates Curry’s unparalleled skill set, which continues to transform the game of basketball. Foxx provides a narrative that questions, “How long does it take to change the game of basketball?” The emphatic response is, “.4 seconds,” which is the amount of time it takes for Curry to release a shot, the fastest ever measured. Amidst explosions of light, sparks and smoke, Curry unleashes an array of moves in an explosive sequence, as Foxx narrates his journey to the top and his lasting effect on the sport.

“Stephen is a generational talent and through hard work and self-belief he’s doing things on a basketball court that is impacting how the game is played, coached and seen by fans throughout the world,” said Peter Murray, Vice President Global Brand and Sports Marketing, Under Armour. “This new story, featuring Stephen in the new Curry Two, showcases his dynamic skill set which is inspiring a new generation of basketball players to challenge the foundation of the game and lead the new era of basketball.”

The spot features the “Iron Sharpens Iron” Curry Two, the lead colourway of Stephen’s second signature shoe. Inspired by Stephen’s relentless commitment and dedication to make his teammates better through his play and leadership, the “Iron Sharpens Iron” Curry Two features a grey upper with a back layer of yellow that pops through perforated patterning, as well as a midsole with orange to yellow fade that incorporates detailed speckles to represent the forging of metal. Stephen’s motto, “Make My Teammates Better,” serves as the foundation for how Stephen mentally approaches the game of basketball. His strength and fortitude serves as a source of strength for his teammates and the team.Additional colourways of the Curry Two will release throughout the season.

Created with a full-length Charged Cushioning midsole unit and a UA SpeedForm seamless upper, the Curry Two is engineered for basketball’s next great game changer. “The first time I put my foot in the Curry Two, I knew having Charged Cushioning through the whole shoe would be a performance difference-maker,” said Curry. “I’ve been wearing the Curry Two all summer in my workouts, and I'm excited that the design and performance of the shoe will not just enhance my game, but it will provide all basketball players with real innovation that works.”

The “Iron Sharpens Iron” Curry Two will retail at Php8,995.00 at the Under Armour Bonifacio High Street, SM Megamall and UP Town center, and selected multi-branded stores of Toby's, Titan, Olympic Village and Planet Sports. Eight additional color ways will be released up till Christmas.

Imagine #PrayforParis

If I am to describe Paris in a sentence, I have to go for a simple, yet truthful statement.

Paris is a beautiful city.  

On a personal note, a travel to Paris three years ago helped me rediscover my center - that one thing I really wanted to do in life.  That marked the beginning of a new journey.  Paris will always be a meaningful place for me.  

Terror exists, in Paris and everywhere else. It attacks the very core of humanity.  However, I am faithful that the goodness in all of us will continue to prevail and triumphant. I can (still) imagine and dream of a better world.

#PrayforParis  

Source:  The song 'Imagine' was originally performed by John Lennon and Ono Plastic Band in 1971.  What you are about to listen to is the UNICEF rendition of that song.  The music video was grabbed from the Universal Music India YouTube Channel.

SPLENDIDO International Sunset Run 2015

Are you tough enough to conquer a challenging terrain, while (literally and figuratively) chillin' in the cool Tagaytay weather?  Are you looking for something different from your usual metro road races?

Gotta' try this!  

Splendido Taal Country Club is hosting an International Sunset Run, 05 December 2015, Saturday, 4:00 PM.

There are several categories sure to bring out both challenge and fun in running.

   21K @ Php 999/pax
   10K @ Php 899/pax
   5K @ Php 599/pax
   2.5K Kiddie Run @ Php 399/pax

REGISTRATION

a. Bank Registration

Please deposit full payment to:

BDO Account Name: SPLENDIDO TAAL COUNTRY CLUB INC

BDO Account Number: 265-0278-214

Please email scanned deposit slip to:
om.splendidocountry@gmail.com
membership.splendidocountry@gmail.com
frontoffice.splendidocountry@gmail.com

Race kit claiming details will be provided.

b. Online thru MYRUNTIME.

Please click the link : http://goorahna.com/ 

c. On Site Registration - Splendido Offices

*Jaka Center, 2111 Chino Roces Ave. Makati City.  Please look for Ms. Angel Bernarte-Gallo

* Sta Lucia Mall

* Splendido Taal Country Club (8am-5pm) (near Sonyas Garden; Royale Tagaytay Estate)

GUIDELINES

*As much as Php 60,000 in total cash prizes will be given to top finishers!

*Open to all FOREIGN and LOCAL runners!

*RFID Race Bib will be used in coordination with MY RUN TIME.

*A new and more difficult terrain will be used for the 2015 Edition.

*Kiddie Run for kids 12 years old and below

*Finisher's Medal & Finisher's Shirt for 21K & 10K participants.

*Finisher's Certificate for 5K & 2.5K participants

*Limited Slots Only!

*Swapping of Race Bib is not allowed

*For Security Purposes, the RACE ROUTE will be announced 7 days before the actual run. Runners are encouraged to personally visit the running site at Splendido.

*Runners are advised to bring their own head lamp and reflector gadgets as the terrain is expected to be foggy.

*'No Waiver, No Run Policy' shall apply.

*Public transport is available via Nasugbu / Balayan / Lemery route.  

Splendido is adjacent to Sonyas Garden and Royale Tagaytay Estate.

For more information,

1. You may dial any of these numbers:
09175920907
09176234173
09167393292
09175563972
02-519-4788
046-423-4388

2.  Visit the Splendido Facebook page:  
https://www.facebook.com/splendidotaalcountryclub

3.  Email Splendido:
om.splendidocountry@gmail.com
membership.splendidocountry@gmail.com
frontoffice.splendidocountry@gmail.com
jmya.splendidocountry@gmail.com
hk.splendidocountry@gmail.com

Rexona Fitness Festival 2015

As a brand synonymous with superior performance and freshness, for 5 years, Rexona has been hosting the already-iconic Rexona Run – combining running with fitness, fun, and music. This year, Rexona refreshes its annual fitness event and takes it to the next level to celebrate inclusivity and diversity with the first ever Rexona Fitness Festival, or the RXN FitFest on November 14 at the SMX Mall of Asia Hall 1.

This year, the number one deodorant in the world collaborates with the top fitness clubs in the country for a one-of-a-kind fitness event that offers different ways for people to get fit and stay fresh as they move.

Rexona is collaborating with three of the top fitness clubs for the RXN FITFEST to bring you the best and most fun workouts offered in the Metro: 360 Fitness for Circuit Training, Plana Forma for Yoga Cardio and Fitness First for Body Jam.

Led by top trainers and dedicated Fitness Squads, participants in the Rexona Fitness Festival will have access to workouts designed exclusively for the RXN FIT FEST. Rexona combines three of the most popular workouts by the leading fitness gyms in the Philippines for diverse impact and maximum results.

To kick off with a good warm-up, Plana Forma brings your heart rate up with their cardio-infused yoga workout that stretches the limits of flexibility and balance with Gretchen Ho, Kryz Uy and Nicole Andersson as members of their Fitness Squad. For high intensity, 360 Fitness, together with its Fitness Squad members Dominic Roque and Janina Manipol, will lead in a 60-minute circuit training class designed to enhance strength and awareness of the body. Finally, Fitness First will get the party started with a dance-heavy workout that challenges coordination and stamina.

For one day each week for the first 3 weeks of October, each fitness gym will be hosting their own fitness party at one of their main branches that give fitness enthusiasts a sneak peek of what to expect during the main event to be held at SMX in Mall of Asia on November 14.

The Fitness Festival itself will feature classes from each of the 3 partner gyms. Participants can either sign up per class for as low as PHP300, or get the all-day festival pass that gives them access to all 3 classes at only PHP750. All participants will be receiving festival kits specialized per class with lots of freebies!

So start stretching those muscles and get those juices flowing as Rexona presents an unforgettable day of fitness and fun. Get fit and stay fresh as you move at the RXN FIT FEST. Get your passes now at any SM Ticket outlet or buy online at smtickets.com.

Runner's Trots

In different countries, runners have long expressed the ups and downs they would experience while running. Bill Rodgers, the former American record holder and USA Track and Field Hall of Famer, once said, "More marathons are won or lost in the porta-lets." This is because 60% of distance runners experience stomach or bowel distress during a run - whether it is an actual race or training - with the percentage increasing with longer distances. This is what's called the "Runner's Trots."

This can be caused by several factors, the most common of which is the intake of food and liquids even a day before the run. However, this does not mean that you'll be able to avoid a bathroom break just by correcting your meals and adjusting your morning routine, because the actual run may also cause mechanical trauma, peristalsis or ischemia.

• Mechanical trauma is caused by the simple jostling of the substances toward the exit due to the up and down motion of running.
• When engaging in active sports, our bodies produce an enzyme that speeds up peristalsis (muscle contractions in the digestive tract) and transit time of fecal content in the intestine.
• Lastly, when running, the blood that normally goes to the intestines is diverted to the working muscles, which sometimes result to unwanted bathroom visits.
• Even hormonal changes, especially in women, can be a potential cause.

Runner's trots can hit you anytime, but the good news is - this can be avoided by doing some adjustments -

1. Be vigilant about the food you eat (example: limit high fiber food intake).
2. Be aware of your bowel habits.
3. Practice the amount of fluids you drink during training to improve your comfort with fluids in your stomach and avoid dehydration.
4. Take Diatabs 1 hour before your race/training to prevent bowel movement during your run.  What's more?  Diatabs has fast acting, double control formula that could prevent diarrhea and dehydration.  (Precaution:  Diatabs is proven safe and effective. However, if you are taking other medications, consult your doctor.)

Last: An Untold Runner's Story

History hails the victor but runners who tackle races for pride and personal goals, rather than pace, are rarely recognized. As Fall marathon season is upon us, a new Nike Running film, Last, celebrates not only the last athlete who crosses the finish line, but also the imperfect journey of every runner. Anyone can be a runner; all you have to do is run.

All runners can take on their own challenges with Nike+ Run Club (NRC). NRC embodies Nike's commitment to serve runners of all ability levels — whether they are attempting their first, fastest or farthest run — by offering access to physical and digital running sessions, in-store services, personal coaching and a motivating community.

Heroes for Children Run 2015

UNICEF Celebrity Advocate for Children Anne Curtis launches the ‘Heroes for Children Run’ for the benefit of children most in need, especially in their first 1,000 days of life.

The run, slated for 25 October 2015 Sunday, at the SM Mall of Asia grounds, is the first major fundraising initiative by Anne Curtis since UNICEF appointed her as Celebrity Advocate last March. “I am very much invested in health and fitness. I thought a benefit run that demonstrates health and wellness is a great way to raise resources to support children to have the best start in life! Proceeds from the run will help fund UNICEF’s ‘1,000 Days of Life’ campaign,” said Curtis.

UNICEF and partners launched the ‘1,000 Days’ campaign through a series of legislative advocacy forums with the House of Representatives and the Senate last July. The central theme is, ‘Ensuring the Right Start to Life through Optimal Maternal and Child Nutrition: Building a Stronger Nation’.

“In the Philippines, at least 3.4 million Filipino children are stunted. Under nutrition accounts for over half of the 95 daily under-five child deaths. The ‘1,000 Days’ campaign will focus on much needed health and nutrition support in the critical first thousand days of the life of a child: from conception through pregnancy, to childbirth, and through to the child’s second year and beyond,” said UNICEF Country Representative Lotta Sylwander.

“UNICEF greatly appreciates Anne’s initiative to raise funds to support the critical needs of young children’s health and well-being. She is personally leading this event and has mobilized her own networks and resources to make it happen.” Added Sylwander, “I accompanied Anne on her first field visit with us. She is committed not only to learn, but also to contribute in changing the lives of the Filipino children for the better. Her popularity and large fan base is an asset in drawing due attention to the needs of Filipino children.”

The run will feature a 500-metre dash for kids (age 12 and below); 5k, 10K, and 21K.

Online registration for the Heroes for Children Run is open until 11 October 2015. In-store registration will run from 23 September to 21 October 2015 at the following Chris Sports outlets: SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM City North Edsa, SM City BF Paranaque, Glorietta, and Market! Market!

Organised through running partners Leadpack and Takbo.ph, the Heroes for Children Run is presented through the support of SM Mall of Asia, PSBank, Double Dragon Properties Corporation, Enervon, SM Accessories, Belo Essentials, Cherry Mobile, Jack ‘n Jill, Toy Kingdom, SM Cares, Philippine Star, Nyxsys Philippines Inc., Chris Sports and Discovery Suites.

To know more about the run and UNICEF’s programs, visit www.unicef.ph or call 758-1000(Mondays to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

Share the Road Movement

Bayanihan sa Daan 

‘Bayanihan’ comes from two beautiful Filipino words: Bayan – community and cooperation; bayani - hero. Bayanihan meaning ‘cooperative heroism.’
It is a movement of the Filipino People, headed by Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr, one of the most well renowned Environmental Lawyer in the Philippines, with the support of the 

MMDA, Office of the President, DOTC, DPWH, DENR, DILG, DSWD, DOH, 

etc. and Civil Society groups, Clean Air Asia, Philippine Medical Association, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Partnership for Clean Air, Cycling Organizations and others. 

Bayanihan sa Daan’s Mission 

1. Clean Air. To improve the air quality of urban centers and to reduce the discharge of climate-disrupting gases , which causes Non-communicable disease (NCD)

2. Public Transportation. To make public transportation safe, reliable, efficient, and convenient

3. Walk and Bike. To give proper spaces for non-motorized transport for people who want to walk or bike and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

What is the Road Sharing principle? 

The principle of Bayanihan sa Daan (Road Sharing) is that roads are meant to move people, not motor vehicles. The motor vehicles are equipment that can move people over long distances and must be used in a manner that is safe, efficient, convenient and reliable. 

Simply put, it is the just sharing of roads, properly organizing buses, private vehicles and the allocation of bike lanes and wider, more useable pedestrian lanes. 

“ Those who have less in wheels should have more in roads”

What is the goal of the Movement? 

The Main goal of the movement is for a cleaner more breathable air and to reduce cases of Non – Communicable disease, by educating people to shift to a healthier lifestyle by biking or walking more. Also to fix, current traffic situation, by making public transportation more efficient, easy and reliable for commuters. Doing so should lessen the people’s reliability on private transportation. Concurrently, the movement aims to enable people to have the option to walk or bike, by providing wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

The Great LEAN Run 2015

What: The Great LEAN Run

When: September 19, Saturday, 5:00PM

Where: UP Sunken Garden and Academic Oval in Diliman

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in that dark period of our nation's history when thefree press was shut down, the voice of the people was suppressed, and thousands of Filipinos were abducted, tortured and summarily executed?

The University of the Philippines is again living up to its reputation as the bastion of youth social consciousness, this time through a obstacle run that will give runners a taste of what it was like during the years of Martial Law.

Dubbed The Great LEAN Run (TGLR), the activity will feature obstacles reminiscent of dictatorial rule, such as barbed wire, water cannons, anti-riot police, arbitrary arrestsand much more. Runners will aim to survive the challenges of the course for a chance to win prizes, not to mention unique bragging rights.

TGLR honours the life of Lean Alejandro, student leader of the 1980s who led the student movement that helped a national people's action to depose then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Atty. Susan Villanueva, Chairman of the UP SAMASA Alumni Association, said, "The overthrow of the dictator and our subsequent return to democracy is a major victory of the Filipino people. The youth of today should be made aware of the real situation at the time so that they can learn from it and be guided by its lessons as they become the new leaders of the nation."

Proceeds of the obstacle run will go to the UP fund for the Liwasang Lean Alejandro.

Registration Site

Chris Sports SM North EDSA

Chris Sports SM Megamall

Chris Sports Glorietta 3

Chris Sports Metro Market Market

Race Map / Route

Aquathlon United 2015

Calling all swimmers, runners, and aspiring aquathletes! Online registration is still ongoing for the 1st ever Aquathlon United happening on September 20, 2015. 

Click here for more details: http://www.unilabactivehealth.com/events_aquathlonunited_racedetails.html

Pabebe Jog: Baby Steps Post-ITB Rehab

After 11 weeks of ITB (iliotibial band) rehabilitation, it feels good to be jogging again.  

To be able to run again, I have to take things easy. Easy is the operative word.  No long distance running, and no speed work for a couple of weeks.  Effort and pace should be kept at low intensity for minimal impact. This is the period for 'baby steps', which coincides with the latest social media term 'pabebe' (Tagalog slang:  feeling like a baby, if you can get away with it).  For me, it's either pabebe jog, or rehab again. Pabebe jog should be okay for now.  

In photo:   'pabebe' jog from my pre-wedding photos.

I played badminton 2x and ran a 6km tempo on the 4th week of rehab, without seeking advice from Dr. Wolf.  It almost nullified our first 3 weeks of effort, and rehab was extended for several weeks more. I thought badminton might help strengthen my hips because of the horizontal movements required for this sport, but I did not consider the agile shift in movement.  Dr. Wolf advised me to stop playing badminton for a while.  He said, unlike in the States, most of them play badminton and can still hold a glass of iced tea at the same time.  Here in PH, when we play badminton, it is like we are out to kill someone. Well, true.  

My rehab program is a combination of several modalities, and a break from badminton and running:

1. Lumbar and cervical vertebrae alignment by a Chiropractor  - my tendons were cracking way ahead of New Year's eve celebration.  What pain?  I love it.  I could imagine my skeletal muscles like a highway choked in traffic.  After removing the bottleneck, the traffic flowed.  Much like my muscles, the alignment addresses the stiffness, so that energy/oxygen flows through the muscle more efficiently. 

Grabbed from www.intercare-centers.com

2. Myofascial release (MFR, Myotherapy) - a soft tissue therapy for the treatment of skeletal muscle immobility and pain.  It is a deep tissue massage, enough to make any muscle man cry.  I would always ask my therapist why don't we call it fraternity hazing, instead. Every time after the treatment, I feel like a 'new person' or a computer post-reboot.  

Grabbed from www.barefootdaves.com

3. Therapeutic ultrasound - non-greasy gel is applied, and 1-3Mhz of ultrasound is rolling on my back.  I feel like an ironing board being poked once in a while, and my muscles are like clothes.  The ultrasound feels warm to the skin. It is actually relaxing.

Grabbed from www.sportsclinical.co.uk

4. ICSS (conditioning strengthening stretch) - this really helped my muscles to become flexible again. The first session was tough, but the succeeding ones made me wish they stretch me enough to add even just an inch to my height.  

Frequency of therapy:  For the first 3 weeks, I went to Intercare 3x a week. It became 2x a week from the 4th week until 9th. Then, 1x a week on the 10th and 11th weeks.

Cost:  The monetary cost was significant, but reasonable.  The total depends on the combination of modalities and length of treatment.  

Learning - continue with consistency:

1.  Stretch. Stretch. Stretch.  Warm muscles are easier to stretch.  

2.  Warm up is equally important.  It helps prepare the muscles for a strenuous task.

3.  Muscle conditioning must be part of my sports activities.  Weekend warriors or recreational athletes are not exempted from muscle conditioning.  

Learning - stop:

1.  Any strenuous activities (in my case, running and badminton) when pain persists - do not train while injured.  It is bad training and will take a toll on other muscle groups, which compensate for the effort.  

Learning - start:

1.  Taping my knees and thighs before playing badminton.  

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Related post:  ITBS: The band that never rocks

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