Figures of Solitude

These are products of solitude, or moments when I wanted to be with myself...thoughts contained...not wandering or wanting anything, just a meaningful vacation.

2016.  Looking forward to a vacation of Spring + Summer - my 'Fleur de Soleil' -  acrylic on canvas, 40x50cm

I cannot possibly produce even a quarter of an inch of Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh.  I do not think I have their gift, but I can be my own impressionist once in a while. 

2012.  Looking forward to a grand vacation in Paris - 'Wishful Thinking', colored pencil and crayons on paper - in my sketchpad. 
Playing in my head, 'I didn't know I was looking for love...'

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I was not brave enough to pursue a career in arts.  I invested in a safe one, instead.  Occasional travels help me stay in tune with whatever artistic inclination is left in me. 

Musee National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

Be #BetterForIt Together in the first ever NikeWomen 21K in Manila

NikeWomen empowers the modern Filipina athlete to take on her biggest challenge yet:

the NRC Women’s Half Marathon MNL 2016

Manila, Philippines — NikeWomen Victory Tour comes to Philippines as the NRC Women’s Half Marathon Manila on May 15, 2016.  


After the success of Nike Women's 10k in 2015, which was the biggest all-female 10km race in Manila with almost 9,000 runners last May, Nike invites Filipina runners to join the NRC Women’s Half Marathon Manila, Nike’s first all-women half marathon in the country. Continuing the tradition and spirit of last year's race, Filipina participants are invited to register with their best female buddy who is up for taking on bigger challenges and emerging #BetterForIt.


The NRC Women’s Half Marathon Manila is part of the largest global women's event series, the NikeWomen Victory Tour, which will see female athletes around the world challenge themselves and experience the power of the global fitness community through a series of one-of-a-kind running and training events.


Nike has prepared a series of training services for registered runners that include Nike+ Run Club sessions and Nike+ Training Club sessions. As a start point, runners can design their training using the Nike+ Running and Nike+ Training Club Apps that are available on both iOS and Android platforms.


“Nike challenges Filipina athletes in this year’s Nike Women’s Half Marathon Manila to run hand-in-hand with their best friend in a race that not only inspires but makes them better for it together. This year, we are raising the bar for runners for them to experience a bigger, more challenging, and far more fulfilling race,” says Patrick Reyes, Country Marketing Manager of Nike Philippines.


Women can register online for the NRC Women’s Half Marathon Manila 2016 at http://go.nike.com/0po61h . Registration will open on January 30, 2016 at 1:00 am, Manila time. Registration fee is PHP2,700 per pair payable via credit card or PayPal.

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About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE’s earnings releases and other financial information are available at investors.nike.com. Individuals can also visit news.nike.com and follow @Nike.

Jr.NBA and Jr.WNBA presented by Alaska search for best basketball players continues in Cebu

[Media Release]

         

          The Jr.NBA and Jr.WNBA Presented by Alaska continues its search for the best basketball players in the country when it holds its second Regional Selection Camp at Don Bosco Technical School in Cebu City on March 5 and 6.

           Boys and girls may join the search for the ten best boy and five best girl basketball players who will become members of the Jr.NBA and Jr.WNBA All-Star team. There is also a search for the boys and girls coaches who will handle the two teams.

The All-Star Team will travel overseas for their NBA experience trip together with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. The 2015 Jr. NBA All-Stars traveled to China to watch the NBA Global Games in Shenzhen featuring the Charlotte Hornets and the L.A. Clippers.

The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Presented by Alaska is free and open to boys and girls ages 10 to 14 years old (born 2002 to 2006). Interested parties may register at the venue in Ateneo de Davao University or online through www.jrnba.asia/philippines.

          The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Presented by Alaska is one of Alaska Milk’s programs that shape, train, challenge and inspire children to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life.

“These holistic programs train children to be confident, disciplined and hardworking because Alaska Milk Corporation aims to prepare them to be winners in life in the future. This year’s program includes new locations such as Batangas, Catanduanes, and Cavite to reach more children and coaches and discover the best basketball players across the country,” said Blen Fernando, Marketing Director. 

The 2011 National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) revealed that three out of ten children aged 5-10 years were underweight while eight out of one hundred children of the same age were overweight, making malnutrition and obesity two of the most pressing nutritional problems in the Philippines today. 

The Jr.NBA and Jr.WNBA presented by Alaska is under Alaska Milk’s Nutrition.Action.Champion program. It helps address the issue of overweight and undernourished Filipino children with the promotion of proper nutrition and active lifestyle through sports and outdoor play.

This year’s program started with the tip-off at Don Bosco Technical Institute Makati last Jan. 23. School clinics, that teach the fundamentals of basketball, will run until April with stops in Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, Metro Manila and Puerto Princesa. New locations include Batangas, Catanduanes, and Cavite. 

Other than Cebu there will also be Regional Selection Camps in Manila on (April 9-10).  The top 50 boys and 24 girls from the Regional Selection Camps will advance to the final selection stage in the National Training Camp in Manila on April 22-24.

NBA and WNBA players or legends will attend the National Training Camp to help train and inspire the finalists. The program will culminate with the selection of ten Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA All-Stars.

More than 36,000 players and 2,700 coaches have participated in the program since it started in the Philippines in 2007. During the 2015-16 season, the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA program will reach more than 6.5 million youth in 32 countries.

The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA is the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls which teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. 

For general information about Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Philippines presented by Alaska please visit www.jrnba.asia/philippines, www.alaskamilk.com, and   www.alaskapowercamp.com/basketball.  For live updates log on to www.playph.com follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @playph #jrnba #jrwnba.

Jr.NBA and Jr.WNBA presented by Alaska search for best basketball players continues in Davao

          The Jr.NBA and Jr.WNBA Presented by Alaska continues its search for the best basketball players in the country when it holds its second Regional Selection Camp at the Ateneo de Davao University (Grade School, High School at Matina Campus) on Feb. 27 and 28.

Boys and girls may join the search for the ten best boy and five best girl basketball players who will become members of the Jr.NBA and Jr.WNBA All-Star team. There is also a search for the boys and girls coaches who will handle the two teams.

The All-Star Team will travel overseas for their NBA experience trip together with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. The 2015 Jr. NBA All-Stars traveled to China to watch the NBA Global Games in Shenzhen featuring the Charlotte Hornets and the L.A. Clippers.

The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Presented by Alaska is free and open to boys and girls ages 10 to 14 years old (born 2002 to 2006). Interested parties may register at the venue in Ateneo de Davao University or online through www.jrnba.asia/philippines.    

The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Presented by Alaska is one of Alaska Milk’s programs that shape, train, challenge and inspire children to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life.

“These holistic programs train children to be confident, disciplined and hardworking because Alaska Milk Corporation aims to prepare them to be winners in life in the future. This year’s program includes new locations such as Batangas, Catanduanes and Cavite to reach more children and coaches and discover the best basketball players across the country,” said Blen Fernando, Marketing Director. 

The 2011 National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) revealed that three out of ten children aged 5-10 years were underweight while eight out of one hundred children of the same age were overweight, making malnutrition and obesity two of the most pressing nutritional problems in the Philippines today. 

The Jr.NBA and Jr.NBA presented by Alaska is under Alaska Milk’s Nutrition.Action.Champion program. It helps address the issue of overweight and undernourished Filipino children with the promotion of proper nutrition and active lifestyle through sports and outdoor play.

This year’s program started with the tip-off at Don Bosco Technical Institute Makati last Jan. 23. School clinics, that teach the fundamentals of basketball, will run until April with stops in Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, Metro Manila and Puerto Princesa. New locations include Batangas, Catanduanes and Cavite. 

Other than Davao there will also be Regional Selection Camps in Cebu (March 5-6) and Metro Manila (April 9-10).  The top 50 boys and 24 girls from the Regional Selection Camps will advance to the final selection stage in the National Training Camp in Manila on April 22-24.

NBA and WNBA players or legends will attend the National Training Camp to help train and inspire the finalists. The program will culminate with the selection of ten Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA All-Stars.

More than 36,000 players and 2,700 coaches have participated in the program since it started in the Philippines in 2007. During the 2015-16 season, the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA program will reach more than 6.5 million youth in 32 countries.

The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA is the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls which teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. 

For general information about Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Philippines presented by Alaska please visit www.jrnba.asia/philippines, www.alaskamilk.com, and   www.alaskapowercamp.com/basketball.  For live updates log on to www.playph.com follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @playph #jrnba #jrwnba.

UA's Spring/Summer 2016 Collection

[Media Release]

Rule Yourself This Season with Under Armour’s Pioneer CoolSwitch Technology in New Spring/Summer 2016 Collection. A leader in the innovation of high-performance sportswear apparel, Under Armour brings sporting professionals and aspiring athletes a step closer to ruling oneself. An unprecedented edge to the fitness world, Under Armour’s CoolSwitch technology is unveiled in the new Spring/Summer 2016 Collection, hitting stores in mid-February.

With the tagline “You are the sum of all your training”, Under Armour’s Rule Yourself campaign represents athletes’ and fitness enthusiasts’ willpower to never give up, and the constant push to better themselves. Under Armour constantly researches and innovates its sportswear apparel technology to aid athletes to take that extra leap, steel their willpower and be the best they can be. With the pioneering CoolSwitch technology, an exciting and highly anticipated innovation in the new Spring/Summer 2016 Collection, you are guaranteed to have an edge over others to excel in your personal fitness journey.

CoolSwitch Technology
CoolSwitch does exactly what its name states - it cools your body and skin when you start to heat up and sweat. The technology blends three unique active cooling agents, integrated for the first time ever in an apparel application, with each of these ingredients delivering a specific benefit over the course of a workout to help athletes stay cool.

The first ingredient serves to pull heat energy away from the skin, providing an instant cooling sensation, while the second is activated by sweat – as an athlete begins to sweat, it kicks in to supercharge the body’s natural cooling mechanism. On top of aesthetics purposes, the ‘crystal’ print that characterizes CoolSwitch apparel also plays a functional role. The final ingredient is the same technology of that used in NASA spacesuits. In the process of changing phases from solid to liquid, this special material absorbs and stores heat energy within the binding agents in the ‘crystal’ print.

While each ingredient performs a specific function, it is the unique combination of these active ingredients that gives rise to Under Armour CoolSwitch’s unprecedented active cooling capability. As a result, during a workout, CoolSwitch wearers feel cooler, less physically taxed and their skin temperature stays lower, allowing them to exercise longer. With Under Armour’s CoolSwitch technology, it is a leap forward for athletes and fitness enthusiasts everywhere to maintain and further their fitness and wellness journey.

Clock That Last Lap
With a strong emphasis on running this season, Under Armour has updated its range of athletic footwear with new and improved designs for the popular UA SpeedForm® Apollo and UA SpeedForm Gemini styles. No matter your goals – to run fast, run long, or run strong, these new footwear designs will help you attain them.

The UA SpeedForm Apollo 2 features a perforated arch and tongue with ultrasonic seal for durable breathability, and utilizes arch reinforcement construction on the medial side for a precise fit and foot guidance for a more efficient faster ride, making for swift and fast runs. The dual-layer midsole also combines Charged Cushioning and Micro G® for the ultimate blend of cushioned support and explosive responsiveness. Additionally, anatomically placed flex grooves aid the transition from heel to toe for the most efficient performance.

The freshened UA SpeedForm Gemini 2 showcases a new ArchForm fit system for additional support and better fit and feel, and upgrades made to the mesh increases breathability. The full-length dual layer Charged Cushioning midsole also delivers superior impact protection, energy return and adaptive support, and is anatomically designed to deliver a superior heel to toe transition for runners looking to go the distance.

UA Streaker Tee
A new offering this season, the UA Streaker Tee consists of a moisture-wicking blend of spun polyester and elasterell, and is lightweight, anti-microbiotic and comfortable. Its uniquely designed side seams reduce cling and chafing, and allows full stretch and recovery without absorbing sweat.

Making all Athletes Better
Committed to their aim of making all athletes better, Under Armour has also released new designs to the brand’s key ArmourVent™ and HeatGear® technology to provide ultra smoothness, enhanced ventilation and extreme comfort, as well as new designs for the UA Armour Bra. Updated design lines and trims have been made to Under Armour’s signature compression gear, where the new performance flex panel maximizes mobility and relieves chafing and abrasion.

Under Armour’s Alter Ego line continues to ride on the superhero hype, with the upcoming releases of the Batman vs. Superman Collection and Captain America: Civil War Alter Ego Collection definitely pleasing fans of DC and Marvel characters. Feel invincible with the transformative power of film characters whilst donning Alter Ego training gear, to train with added conviction.

The Under Armour Spring/Summer 2016 Collection will be available at all Under Armour brand houses and shop-in-shops from February 2016.

Under Armour in Philippines (Brand Houses)
SM Megamall. Building A SM Mega Mall, EDSA Corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
UP Town Center. 2nd, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Quezon City, 1108 Metro Manila, Philippines
Bonifacio High Street. Bonifacio High Street 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig,Metro Manila, Philippines

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Disclaimer:  I do not work for UA or any of its trade partners.  The following article is a media release from UA PH.  I have tried and tested UA apparel - as a regular consumer, not sponsored.  I ran a full marathon recently with UA apparel - absolutely no chafing.