Hancock (2008)

Hmmm, ok lang.

Weight Loss Update: A Good Morning

It was a very good (good!) morning earlier today as I stepped on our weighing scale: 170.4lbs!




This is the first time that I've reached the 170lb mark since I've started this weight loss goal of mine. A major contributing factor has been all the kilometers I've been marking on my tickerfactory.com since I started running late March.

I hope to keep this momentum until December since EG had extended our own Biggest Loser contest until the end of the year. The prize? Still the coveted Zoom Kobe IV lang naman. Among the 5 contestants, I'm required to lose the most pounds: 19lbs to be exact. Whew!

Ngayon pa naman na dumating na cholesterol/tryglycerides results ko from my annual physical, both of which are away from the normal readings, kelangan tuloy-tuloy na.

On running, I've already psyched myself to step up to the 10km level. I started a 10km test-run last week with LA and BE which was quite satisfactory on my terms since I didn't walk the entire time. Sobrang bagal lang on the last 4kms since I found it quite difficult to finish. This morning, before my weigh-in above, I ran 7.5kms para naman di ako mabigla when I try the whole 10km next week. Next race: the BOTAK 10k Paa-bilisan series at The Fort on May10.

Yup, running's really addicting especially if you have a goal to lose weight. Sarap ng pakiramdam when you step on the scale afterwards.

Btw, my Slimmerun official time is 31:02 which is an improvement from my Condura 33:50 time.

Step Up For a Cause 5k

By Thursday morning I was already decided not to run for the above event on Apr26. However, MP handed me his registration form and, since I lived near the GMA network office, asked me to register him and his friends. 

It was too hard to resist. Ahhhgghhh. I finally succumbed to my new addiction and printed out a registration form for myself. By lunchtime I was at the GMA office to register MP for the 10k ---and myself for the 5k. 150 bucks. Not bad seeing that the racebib has a barcode marker which looked promising since the Condurarun had a barcode monitor as well.

So, I'll be waking up early tomorrow for my 3rd 5k run in over a month. Btw, the Slimmerun 5k official results just came in. My official time was 31:02 and finished #150 out of 450 5k runners. Still, an improvement from my Condurarun which was at 33:50.

I wish the missus could join me (who btw is starting to train via 30-45min walks on the treadmill regularly) in tomorrow's run since there COULD BE a few showbiz personalities from the Kapuso network running although the missus, a Kapamilya, said, "Malamang hindi ko naman makikilala karamihan dun" since she watches ABSCBN more often. Never the less, I'll bring my trusty ol' digicam in case I need to be a paparazzi on the run, hehe.

I could only imagine if Mike Enriquez ran and, if I overtake him, he would shout out and say:

"Hindi kita tatantanaaan!!!"

So, as in the Slimmerun, I hope to finish faster (below 30mins sana) before I move up to the 10k races.

Wish me luck!

The Masked Runner

Anybody know this guy? I saw him at the Slimmerun last Saturday stretching out during the cool down after the race. This is actually the 2nd time I saw him, previously seeing him a year ago at the UP Ikot walking by his lonesome around the famed oval. Spooky. That was when the missus and I went to her old campus to find out if the famed fishballs are still there to our detriment.

The guy looks creepy, but I bet he's a good runner. Probably the costume is something that he wants to wear to release his dark side.

Btw, my mind is back and forth thinking if I should run again this Sunday: Step Up For A Cause 5k c/o Q-TV. My original goal is to participate in a race once a month, probably running the 5k for 5 months before I step up to the 10k level.

Oh well, if you don't see me at The Fort on Sunday morning, then I would probably be in UP Ikot running with my officemates in preparation for the company's May17 Fun Run. Who knows, I might be running (literally) into the Masked Runner again.

The Promotion (2008)

Uhhhmmm....naaaah. Don't watch it.

Taken (2008)

Ang gandaaaaaaaa!!!!! Heart-pounding action! Mabibilib ka kay Liam.

"I have a very special set of skills...."

I think if you have a daughter you'll think twice on sending her abroad for a vacation or anything.

You NEED to watch this!

Race Review: Slimmerun 2009

If only my 1st official run wasn't the Condura Run, the Slimmerun would've been great. However, I can't help but compare the two after the race.


Originally, the 16k runners should've started earlier at 5.30am but due to certain reasons I wasn't aware of, all 3k/5k/16k runners started at the same time which was 6am. I positioned myself towards the middle of the pack so as not to get tumbled on by the faster runners. After all, I wasn't there to be the fastest. I was there to beat my own personal record of 33:50 set in the Condura Run.

The host was doing his job well, greeting everyone and plugging products here and there until he suddenly started counting down.

10, 9, 8, 7.....

Syete! I looked at my watch and it was 6am but I still saw a lot of runners at the sidelines stretching, warming-up, chatting.

Imagine the queue on the portalets running towards the starting gate.

...6, 5, 4, 3....

Imagine the poor guy/gal INSIDE the portalets.

...2, 1...BANG!


And we were off! I promised myself na hindi ako padadala sa mga mabibilis tumakbo at the start so that I can pace myself up to the finish line but, as what had happened, my pace was fast going into the 1st 1.5kms. I slowed down my pace after that since I knew that from the end of Rizal Avenue up to the U-turn near Fifth Avenue Place, the elevation would be upwards. The water station after 2kms was set up poorly, i.e. it was on the other side of the road so we all had to cross to get water.


The next water station was before and after the U-turn. So the 5km leg had 3 water stations versus Condura which only had one. The thing that I didn't like was that the race officials didn't manage the traffic well since I found myself signaling to oncoming/intersecting cars whenever we crossed roads. The race officials should've taken care of this like how it was well-organized in the Condura Run.

I found myself walking for about 100 or so meters but that was all the walking I did. At the last turn seeing the finish line, I was proud of myself as I crossed the line with my new personal record (unofficial): 30mins, 53secs. I was about 3mins faster than my previous 5k. WOW!


Bumawi din naman in the end yung Slimmerun due to lots of giveaways. There was actually a total of 3 Vitwater bottles since the 1st one was handed to the runners immediately after the finish line before receiving the loot bag and t-shirt. The shirt would've been nicer if they've put in "FINISHER" on it, panindak when I take my UP-ikot practice runs. Hehehe.



Of course, the SlimmersWorld Miss Bikini 2009 models were there to cheer on. Magaganda? Well, let me just safely say: it's a bikini contest. ;-)

Twilight (2008)

Nice! Although many say that the book is better (like most adaptations).

* * *

Sunset

When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator --Mahatma Gandhi

My family and I spent the late-afternoon of Good Friday at Harbour Square. We were fortunate enough to view the wonderful sunset that Manila Bay is famous of. Here are some pics I took with my Nokia N85. Too bad I didn't bring my digicam since my cam-phone didn't give the sunset enough justice.

Paikot-Ikot

I have to admit, I'm addicted to running nowadays. I often wake up just about 6am every morning thinking if I should get up and lace on my shoes and run, whether on the treadmill or on the road. The reasons why I won't run is either Lucas is already awake or if I ran the previous day.

The missus has picked up running as well. Last week she bought a pair of Adidas shoes and started walking against the news of Jennylyn who had a freak post-pregnancy accident while working. Undaunted, the missus has proceeded in inviting me to try the UP Ikot route in Diliman. Owa, my mom-in-law, joined too.

Since then I've gone to UP Ikot on 3 occassions. The missus is well on the road to (sports) recovery as she has walked 1.5x around the circuit, with Owa covering a round of the route as well. My driver btw, ran around the oval 4 times (wow!).

This morning, my 3rd time, I went there again with my officemate BE in preparation for next Saturday's Slimmerun race. I was able to go around the oval twice on a good non-stop jogging pace and then walked/ran/walked the 3rd time. Btw, the oval measured EXACTLY 2.2kms as proven by our car's odometer.

Tomorrow is a Sunday, and again, I'm thinking of running in the morning probably just around in our neighborhood.

But before tomorrow morning comes tonight's most important question: saan kaya kami kakaen? :-)

My Best Friend's Girl (2008)

Cute!

The Love Guru (2008)

Ang hirap pala magpigil ng tawa, especially when watching this movie in the office. Hehe.

If you loved watching Austin Powers, you'll definitely love this.

Funny!!!

SlimmeRun 5K-route Practice Run

At 6:15am this morning BE (my officemate) and I set off to The Fort for a practice run of the SlimmeRun 5k route. BE bought (finally!) a pair of Adidas running shoes yesterday and he texted me if running this morning was possible. Para i-break-in yung sapatos, I thought. Initially we were supposed to run here at my neighborhood but decided that the dogs here may not be too friendly on a Monday-holiday morning.

I found a nifty website called mapmyrun.com which uses Google Maps to help find out and measure the length/elevation of whatever running-path you would like (as long as it's seen in Google Maps). I traced out the SlimmeRun-5k route and, after several repetitions, I was (a little) disappointed that the entire race-length was short of 0.33kms.

So BE and I started off our run. Actually I started about 2-3mins earlier than him since he wanted a full stretch first since he was taking care of his left knee which was injured before.

I sort of skipped the last 200 meters to the finish (took a shortcut, hehe), looked at my watch and saw that I timed at 28+ minutes. Plus the remaining 200meters, I would've finished at 30mins, well below my Condura Run time of 33mins. Well, we'll just find out on race day if I'm able to do better.

SlimmeRUN 2009

The SlimmeRUN 2009. This is my next target 5k race. I think I'll try to join a race once a month, just to keep me conditioned in a race environment aside from my weekly 5k runs. I love the way such races are organized, i.e. vehicle traffic is cleared from the race path, no dogs, and there are water stops along the way.

I was able to coax 4 of my officemates (so far) into joining the race on the 18th. MP, who also ran with me in the 5k Condura Run, will participate in the SlimmeRUN 16k race ---not for me, YET.

I think my goal for next year's Condura Run is to run the 21k half-marathon, something to add in my "been there, done that" list.

Weight Loss Update: No thanks to Beer and Liempo

I think I have to set a short-term weight-loss goal. The 152lbs target weight seems to impossible at this point. Whenever I seem to be on a roll, the weekend is suddenly there like a table full of freshly-cooked rice and inihaw na Monterey liempo. The liempo is thinly sliced in such a way that the fatty part tastes so crispy and juicy when accompanied by a spoonful of rice. A sip of regular Coke will just take your breath away. The superbness of the liempo's taste just overwhelms the guilt that you'll only feel the next day when you tip the scales.

Monday evening didn't help as well since I had a drinking/pulutan spree at V8 Baresto courtesy of birthday-boy RC, who had just stopped courting a girl after their 2nd date proved too much for him. He said "she'd always put herself down," something that RC doesn't need at his current pre-mid-age crisis. There are many other fish in the sea, we told him. He just sipped his beer and continued on to the next topic: reminiscing our college days.

Anyway, the subzero/below-zero(?) frozen SanMig Light was a delight since I'm not really a beer-drinker myself. Normally I'd only finish a bottle since I find the taste so bland especially when the coldness drifts away. The beer served in V8 tasted well up to the last sip, making me finish 2.75 bottles that night (and a mountainful of pulutan).

The end result? I weighed 174.2lbs Tuesday morning.

Sigh....

Well I got back into perspective the next few days and ran 5km this morning on the treadmill and almost (almost!) beat my Condura Run time of 33:50 by almost a minute (34:46). I hope to be below my current record by Sunday morning's run.

After that run, I now weighed 173.8lbs. I'm back on course. Thank God!!!

Short term goal short term goal short term goal....

Ok here we go. I'll target to reach the (impossible) weight of 170lbs before Easter. A lot of holidays next week so that'll give me enough opportunity to run in the mornings without pressure of being late for work.

Wish me luck!!!

Smart People (2008)

Ok lang.

The Bank Job (2008)

Could the story this film was based on true especially the hanky-pankies of certain individuals highlighted?

I've watched Jason Statham since Transporter 1. Meron syang angas na dating as exemplified again in this movie.

This is a great movie to watch!

Apps That I Recommend

Here's a brief list of Win Apps that I've downloaded and used whether at home or at work. I hope you find these apps very useful as how I've found them to be for me.

1. utorrent. A compact-sized torrent-client that packs a big punch. What I like about it is its simplicity, with special options to auto-shutdown your PC/laptop if the downloads are complete, saving you time (and electricity).

2. KeepPass Password Safe. A nifty app for storing all your passwords/PINs and other delicate information.

3. LviewPro. I'm talking about the 1.D/32 older version since it uses only small memory space. This app is excellent for capturing screens for JPG/GIF use.

4. Super MP3 Editor. The ChicoDel MP3s that I download from the chicodel website is rather long. So, to go straight to the top10 laughs, I use this app to cut/delete unwanted portions of the mp3 for easier listening. This is also a handy tool for creating your own mp3 ringtones.

5. Google Chrome. I bet IE will be reformatted to imitate Chrome, similar to what it did with Firefox previously. Chrome is a good browser although some pages (like Blogger's layout page) load incompletely.

6. Allway Sync. If you have those portable hard-drives, this app is a good tool to use when you want to backup important office/home files just in case your PC breaks down.

7. CCProxy. A must, especially when the IT department cuts off your own internet access. You just load this app to your officemates computer, set his IP as your browser's proxy address, and, voila! You have Internet again!

You Don't Mess With The Zohan (2008)

Another classic Adam Sandler comedy. Nakakatawa although some scenes were just too graphic.

I don't mind seeing Emmanuelle Chriqui all the time (SIGH). I didn't know she was into film aside from her 3-season Entourage appearance. 

* * *

Get Smart (2008)

Funny!

Condura Run: The Official Results are in...

There was a total of 1,792 runners for the 5K event which meant that I finished at the top 31% of the lot.

Not bad ey?

All race results can be found HERE.

Running for Sharks

"Huy ano?! Sumali ka na!"

That was LA, my officemate who convinced me to join the Condura Run at the Fort scheduled earlier this morning. He's been joining fun runs(I wonder how they call it "fun" when it isn't ---unless you compare it to a half-marathon or marathon I guess) for sometime now but he doesn't look like it, thanks to endless drinking sessions with his buddies.

I've only joined a fun run once: a 5km run during Grade 5 or 6, I think. I don't even recall why I joined the thing but I remember at the last 1 or 2km stretch, I was already out of breath. It was a really difficult 1st-time run and, that was that. I haven't joined another fun run ever since.

It was last Monday when I thought, "Since I've been on and off the treadmill these past 2+ years, maybe I should give it (fun run) a shot? I've been running 3-4kms on the treadmill anyway so I think I could be conditioned for a 5k?"

The Condura Run registration deadline was on March20 (Friday) so I really had to give it enough thought if I'm really ready for this. It's not to win the race but my target was just to finish it at a respectable time.

Tuesday night. On the way home, I planned out a running course in our neighborhood. Since the car had an odometer, I reset TRIP A to 0-km and plotted out my running course: a total of 1.5km. So, if I were to run 5kms, I would have to run the course at least 3.5 times.

Thursday morning, 6:23am. It was a good time to sleep. Mind over matter, I woke up and tied my running shoes on and ran the course I made the other day. It was rather challenging to run the course since I had to avoid cars pass by (in inches) close to me. Another were the dogs at one of the streets which forced me to walk. I walked most of the time after 3-4kms.

The time? 40mins.

MP, another officemate who runs, posted 34mins on his last 5km run. So I guessed the 40mins that I recorded is respectable enough.

Until Friday morning I still haven't registered. It was already the last day to register. It was now or never. With the Condura Run registration form tacked on my office cubicle staring me at the face as if teasing me, I finally made my decision.

Friday, lunchtime. I proceeded to Nike Boni High Street for registratio. Paid the P300.00 fee and got my race-kit and t-shirt (nice, btw, but not for running). The race would start at 6am.

My cellphone alarmed at 5am, Sunday morning so I got up and made myself ready. Kissed the missus goodbye and proceeded to the refrigerator downstairs to get my banana which I bought after taking-out KFC for dinner Saturday night. A glass of water from the water dispenser and I was off to the Fort.

I walked to the starting line at about 5:40am. It was very crowded with all sorts of runners: newbies, amateurs, and pros. The latter have started running at 5:30am since they had to run 21kms (a half-marathon). By 5:50am the 10k runners (LA included) started and, by 6am, the 5km run began. It was the first time I saw soooo many ipod users in one small area.

I would've been mistaken for a Nike model since, by coincidence, I wore a cap, watch, shirt, shorts, and shoes showing the swoosh logo. Save, of course, for the Jansport beltbag that I had to wear since it contained my car keys, and cellphone which I've programmed to add my running songlist aptly entitled "Run!":

1. Enter Sandman - Metallica

2. Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet

3. Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf

4. Insomnia - Craig David

5. Jump - Van Halen

6. Pretty Vegas - INXS

7. Seek and Destroy - Metallica

8. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns and Roses

I was afraid that wearing earphones might cause it to fall out every now and then so I used the missus' headphones to be sure.

I kept my jogging pace up to 2.5kms, overtaking most of the pack. I knew my exact distance since I stopped at the water station (stationed every 2.5kms). The road started its uphill climb after that. Like I car running in 4th gear reaching the bottom of a mountain, I switched to 1st, i.e. walked until I had passed Market2x.

It was then jog/walk/jog/walk/jog after that. The finish line was a bright sight to see, and, as I passed it, I clicked "STOP" on my watch-timer and recorded my unofficial time: 33mins, 29secs.

It was a great feat for me since my treadmill runs usually last 34mins for 4kms only. So the Condura Run I recorded was a personal first-time best.

So here I am, with my lower calf muscles aching from the race, looking at this website: the Men's Health Miracle 10km Run next Sunday. It's a major step from this morning's run so I think I will have to give this more thought.

Hmmmmmm, I wonder if I lost weight? We'll find out tomorrow morning. :)

Fool's Gold (2008)

Cute film. 

Kate Hudson....SIGH.

* * *

Weight Loss Update: Slowly but surely

I was able to get the weekend pass by without too much over endulging on food, except for that Sunday merienda where I ate 3 slices of Yellow Cab pizza (but didn't had dinner). So, I'm STILL at 172.8lbs from Monday until this morning (tadaaaan!).



Hopefully tuloy tuloy na at wala nang relapse. Apr20, the end date of our little contest for that coveted Zoom Kobe IV, is a month away. So, whatever it is that I did to reach 172.8lbs, I should continue doing (and more!).

Here we go!

Fracture (2007)

Galing! Anthony Hopkins' acting was superb as well as Ryan Gosling's.

A great thriller that'll keep you guessing 'til the end.

Running: The Next Fad?

Badminton started its boom here in the Philippines about the year 2002. That's when we started seeing badminton courts mushrooming almost everywhere. With badminton newbies going to sports shops and buying their racquets and shuttles, it suddenly became everybody's sport.

Recently, I'm seeing my relatives and a lot of my officemates started joining 5k/10k fun runs. I'm seeing a lot of marathons/funruns being organized lately ---even our office organized one last year. Could it be that running is now the next fad after badminton? Versus the latter, the only basic investment that one needs to have is a good pair of running shoes versus the shoe+racquet gear for badminton.

We'll see in the next couple of months if the sport truly picks up.

Air Jordan XI

In the twenty-over models of the Air Jordan shoe worn, of course, by Michael Jordan in the NBA, the one I like best was the Air Jordan XI. It just stands out.

Even sportswrap.berecruited.com voted it as the #1 Air Jordan shoe out of their Top 10 Air Jordan Shoe list. 

Hmmm, I hope Nike re-releases this shoe. Malapit na kase DBTI inter-batch tournament (next month).  Heehee.

Wild Hogs (2007)

Funny. OK lang. 

* * *

Varicella Zoster Virus

This air-borne virus that causes chickenpox had unfortunately found itself two new hosts: the missus and Matteo. The missus' spots showed up last Friday and then Matteo's last Sunday.

Lucas, fortunately, wasn't infected (hopefully never) since he was given the anti-VZV vaccine when he turned 1 year old. I wasn't infected since I had already acquired chickenpox back when I was in college.

What bothers me is that why is chickenpox so common during summer? Can anyone help explain?

Anyway, I hope they both recover soon, especially Matteo who's only 2 months old.

Every color...every hue...is represented by me and you...

From one Bosconian to another, thank you Francis M for your words and your music! You will truly be missed.

Voltes V

Until I reached college, I never really had a barkada I could call my own. I was strictly raised as an eskwela-bahay son, with the daily reminder that finishing one's studies is more important than going out and play with the neighbors.

That all changed when I entered 3rd year college, particularly the laboratory subjects. The lab professor required all students to put themselves in groups of 5. This will become your permanent lab team for the rest of the semester. The opportunist in me sought immediately the nerds in class to hopefully get a slot with their group. This will mean smooth sailing until the final exam. Sadly, the nerd group was got filled up immediately. I think there were 2 nerd groups that time. Yup, a lotta nerds.

It was BN and me who went looking for a group. BN, who'd just transfered from PUP, was a tall quiet fellow who was a classmate since elementary and high school. We were about to end our search when RC, another DB Makati batchmate, signaled us to join his group of 3, together with RS and OH, both graduates of DB Manda high school.

We stuck together until the end of the semester. Surprisingly, the group jelled together wonderfully. We all passed. Succeedingly, we formed the same group until 5th year until we graduated. The other groups gave a neat label to us, Voltes V, since we'd always automatically "volt-in" when grouping time comes.

In between the lab projects and other group presentations/reports, that group had exposed me to more social events that I could imagine: soirees, meet-ups, being hosts to all-girl forums, dates, inuman, etc.

Needless to say, we became the best of friends.

That friendship went beyond college. Even when we all started working, we always took the time to meet up whenever we can. Miggys, Dencios, bike rides from Sucat to Bicutan, double dates, our own darts tournament, billiard tournaments, etc.

Even when 4 of us got married and had children, we all still keep in touch thru texts, emails, and chat.

That friendship is now 16yrs old.

BN is now based in the US with his family. RS is planning to migrate his family to New Zealand. OH is waiting for his petition results to the US. While RC and me may have decided to spend the rest of our lives here in Manila.

Last weekend, we all met at a resto in Bicutan to listen to some band called "Hebigats" whom RS seems to be fascinated with lately. In between the songs, we all tried to catch up and tell old stories but it wasn't enough. So, after the band's second set, we all hopped onto our cars and drove off to Figaro Sucat. But then, it was closed.

This didn't stop Voltes V from venturing on. With RC and me hopping onto RS family van, we managed to have coffee at Starbucks Alabang next to ATC. For about 1-2hrs, we all shared old stories and at the same time each one's hopes for his family (except for RC who's still single btw ---but dating. GO RC!).

I looked at my watch. 2AM. The missus could be worried by now. BN and his family will be flying back to the US the following Monday, RS could be going to NZ by December, and OH could be in the US by next year.

I asked the guys to wrap up, and, as we were all walking back to the car, I uttered to RS, "Malamang matagal-tagal bago tayo magkakasama uli ng kumpleto ano?"

RS and RC gave a nod. That's life I suppose.

Biggest Loser Update

Every Monday the 5 "contenders" in our Biggest Loser contest is required to email the group their current weight. Seeing that PT had lost almost 2kg since Feb2 made me wonder if I could still win it at my current pace. Add to that the binging I do come Saturdays and Sundays since all that delicious home-cooked food and dinner-outs come into play.

This week, as usual, we all sent our kg-weights and EG, the author of this little contest, sent the spreadsheet to show the progress:

Surprisingly, PT has relapsed from his 1.66kg initial cumulative loss and is now dead last. RT is leading the pack with a cumulative 2.57kg loss since Feb2. Since the contest ends Apr20, I think I still have enough time to chase RT and win that precious (precious!) Zoom Kobe IV. I just have to kick my programme several notches (I'm currently looking into joining those 5KM fun-runs).

Let's see!

License To Wed (2007)

Ok ok lang!

**