Timberland, here I come...

I really enjoyed the Merrel Adventure Run when it was held at Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal a few years back.

During that race, I think half of the field got lost in the mountains because the markers that should have showed a left turn was not visible. And the barangay tanod who was supposed to be manning the spot where the runners should be making the left turn was called for duty by the barangay captain.

We were there up in the hills just standing, taking pictures from our cellphone, not knowing which way to run until someone shouted for us to negotiate the trail back and showed us the "right" way.

Nonetheless it was a great experience. I remember sliding down a steep hill after I jump and landed on dry leaves. That fall resulted to a speedy descent down the hill next to the spot where I rappelled down a 90 degree slope. I  passed several houses after that and reached a stream that leads to the Wawa Dam.

And just when I thought I was near the finish line, the marshals led us to negotiate the boulders as big as dump trucks near the bottom of the dam.

I failed to get my finisher's medal cause I entered the finish line a few minutes off the deadline set by the organizers.

But up to this moment, that experience brings a smile and a rush of adrenalin. I've conquered Wawa Dam!!!

So on June 18, Timberland here I come!!!

Kenyans not allowed to pocket cash prizes, unless...

Kenyan runners must obtain working permits if they want to continue receiving monetary rewards from winning local races.

This was the opinion of Bureau of Immigration Inteligence Division Executive Officer Carlito M. Bautista who sent local organizers a letter stressing that "...under our existing laws and regulations pertaining to aliens coming into the country for purposes other than pleasure states that no professional athletes shall engage in any form of gainful empoyment, unless he or she obtains an alien employment permit issued by the Department of Labor and Employmenbt (DOLE) and pre-arrange employment visa under Immigration Act, Section 9 (g) issued by competent authorities of hte bureau, for thow who shall exceed one (1) year."

The Immigration officer, in a letter dated May 9, 2011, added that foreign nationals  who shall compete in the Philippines for less than a year must obtain a provisional permit from the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) or the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Bautista came out with the opinion following an inquiry by  local athletes Helen Castillo and Bernardo Desamito Jr. asking the  Bureau to look into the status of Kenyans who are competing in local running events and pocketing monetary rewards even without proper documents.

Castillo and Desamito provided the Bureau with a list of Kenyans who are competing in local races supposedly without the proper permits. 

The list include Daniel Kepkemei Koringo, Josphat Keptanui Too, Benjamin Kipkazi Arusei, Philip Ronoh Kepkemei, Willy Kepkemei Rotich, James Tallam, Freadrick Mwinerirma Mathiu, Abraham Missos, Stanley Ting, Ellud Kiprugut Kering, Willy Tanui, Douglas Mwiti, David Kipsanp, Albert Omboga, Irene Jeptoo Kipchumba, Susan Jemutai and Peris Chepkech Poywoo.

Bautista said the Kenyans can continue participating in local races but until they obtain proper documents, they are not allowed to pocket monetary earnings.

"There is no legal hindrance for them to join competitions provided they are exempted from cash prize winnings as this would be interpreted as engaging in gainful activity," Bautista explained.

Integrity run winners

Michael Bacong topped the 15-kilometer event of the I Run For Integrity Towards A New Philippines on Sunday at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Bacong, from Valencia City in Bukidnon, reached the  finish line with a time  of 57 minutes and 59 seconds.

Playing second fiddle to Bacong was Melanio Ayala (58:50) while Jonathan Galo (1 hour and 20 second) finished at third spot.

In the women's side, veteran Nhea Ann Barcena claimed another win with a time of 1:02:44, Monica Torres (1:07:53) and Peris Poywo (1:14:09) took the second and third place honors respectively.

It was an all Kenyan affair in the 10k events with Philip Ronoh (32:43) and Irene Kipchumba (40:05) producing another dominating wins in male and female categories

.

Another Kenyan, Abraham Missos (32:59), took the second place spot in the  men's division  while Rafael Poliquit Jr. (35:42) placed. Cinderella Agana (43:08) and Jenelyn Surdilla (46:36) placed second and third in the women's category.

Justine Tabunda (15:24) bagged the men's 5-k fun run crown while 59-year-old Peter Kennedy (15:35) of Great Britain surprisingly pulled a second place finish while Rex Adalin (21:16) took the third spot. In the women's event,  Adjenny delos Santos (18:53), Jolly Ann Ballester (22:34) and (Aileen Guinto) 26:44 completed the top three finishers.

Mark Garin (8:13), Dave Gumacal (8:19) and King Paul Pili (9:38) produced the best times in the men's 3-k event while 15-year-old Marcy Grace dela Torre (10:41), 27-year-old Genevieve dela Pena 11:59 and 15-year-old Kristel Tambot (12:20) were the top three finishers in the femaile side.

"We want to see the Philippines becoming a model for ethical and progressive business environment in the Asian region," said Henry Schumacher, the Integrity Initiative project director, during the  PSA Forum last Tuesday.

For more information about Integrity Initiative, visit www.integrityinitiative.com.

4th Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run 2011

I'd like to congratulate Robinson's Supermarket for continuing its effort in helping its customers in staying fit.

This would be my third "buddy run" if in case I make it to the starting line on July 17,2011.

This race is indeed a lot of fun. No pressure, just pure and simple fun. And you can run with anyone even with your grandma or grandpa. Just make sure that you will enter the finish line together, that's what buddy run is for. You start together, and you finish together.

Another reason why you will run in this event is the loot bag. I lost count as to how many goodies were inside the green Robinson's Supermarket. But I can still remember that there were juices, snacks, candies, mugs and even a pencil case.

So runners, see you at the starting line.

Energizer Night Race Dagupan leg

Press Release

25 May 2011

Winners of the Energizer Race Dagupan leg held 

3K female

1st place- Augustina Anganayon 00:08:30
2nd place -Marivic Casipit 00:08:43
3rd place- Shane Scosta 00:08:57

3K male

1st place-Arthur Garidon 00:06:54
2nd place- Joel Bengtay 00:07:11
3rd place- Eubese Cacho 00:07:14

5K Female

1st place-Flordeliza Donos 00:16:33
2nd place- Merdiliza Disu 00:18:33
3rd place- Michelle Anne Tibagacay 00:19:18


5K Male

1st place- Ferdinand Corpuz 00:13:45
2nd place- Kiyen Areglado 00:13:47
3rd place- Jerald de Asis 00:14:08

10K Female

1st place- Luisa Raterte 00:40:39
2nd place- Geralden Sealza 00:41:10
3rd place- Roselyn Marie Buton 00:43:25

10K Male

1st place- Irinio Racquin 00:33:33
2nd place- Alley Quisay 00:34:15
3rd place- Rogelio Sarmiento 00:35:10

NIGHT RACE. Around 2,000 runners participated in the Energizer Night Race in Dagupan held recently in CSI Mall, Dagupan City, Pangasinan. The event highlights the endurance of Filipino runners and health enthusiasts who, like the Energizer icon, just keeps on going and going. Since 2007, the Energizer Night Race has been held in other countries such as Argentina, Korea, South Africa, Malaysia, and Singapore.

eXtribe Launches camp run series

Press Release

28 May 2011

Race2Raise

If we are to believe that action is eloquence, then eXtribe's  "Camp Run Series" is indeed one true expression of nationalism as the series aims to elevate the quality of life of one's self and of others through sports. 

This is also one of the programs under eXtribe's campaign "Race2Raise" - an initiative to foster community involvement and sustainable support for the company's partner foundations that focus on helping improve the quality of education in the country.

The Camp Run Series is composed of several running events happening throughout the year at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. 

The series will feature a military or boot camp theme, a unique race format, and a novel route for the runners. It will also be tailored to encourage continuous participation rather than competitiveness, and will ultimately be developed to become a nationwide program or template.

The races will have 5 kilometers and 10 kilometers distances. The expected turnout per event is 3,000 to 3,500 runners, and the first in the series will be happening this coming June 25, 2011 at sunset or 5:30 PM. 

Other scheduled events in the Camp Run series will be on August 2011 (a night run) and on November 2011 (a morning run).

Participants can expect race grounds that are not only secure, but smog and smoke-free as the events will be held inside Camp Aguinaldo which has less traffic movement than the regular thoroughfares and roads of usual running routes. 

Aside from needed facilities such as ample water stations and accurate kilometer and directional markings, the Camp Run events will also provide free training clinics and a designated family and finishers' activity area.

In order to encourage participants to attend all events of the Camp Run Series, eXtribe also created the "VeteRan" system. This system will recognize runners who went to all of the races under the Camp Run series, and they will receive a special race bib, event shirt, and a commemorative dog tag and medal. 

Runners can also use the series as preparatory training for the Subic International Marathon, which will be held early 2012. 

The various partner foundations that will benefit from the Camp Run Series are the following: the DepEd Adopt a School Program, ABSCBN's E-media Project, HERO Foundation Inc., and 57-75 Movement: Reverse the Education Crisis (a beneficiary of the iamninoy-iamcory runners of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation). 

In partnership with Discovery Suites and Total Fitness Magazine, eXtribe's campaign will not just be anchored on a single event, but will be sustained throughout the year with the lined up series of races.

1st Philippine Water Runs (PWR)

Press Release
28 May 2011


THE FIRST running series for clean drinking water in the Philippines is slated to begin in Cebu on July 24. 


The 1st Philippine Water Runs (PWR) is the first multileg running event in the country whose advocacy is to boost awareness on the imporatance of water and raise funds to provide access to clean, drinking water for families without sustainable water sources.

PWR is in line with the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals that as it promotes child and maternal care by preventing water-borne diseases common to children and pregnant women. 


Lack of clean and safe water is fast-becoming one of the world’s biggest problems. In the Philippines, access to clean water remains quite a challenge.

According to the UN-MDGF, over 1.1 billion people worldwide don’t have access to clean and safe water, including 15.73 million Filipinos.

``It is both ironic and critical that an archipelago such as ours has that little access to safe drinking water,’’ says Erwin Po, president of the sponsoring Veepo Global resources, exclusive distributor of LifeStraw. 


``We are aiming to somehow make a dent in those huge numbers by raising funds to provide LifeStraw and hopefully better the lives of our countrymen.’’

LifeStraw, a brand of portable water filter that was used by Unicef in its humanitarian efforts in Africa. In 2005, it was named invention of the Year by Time magazine.

The races will run through Cebu in July, Davao (August), Naga (September), Baguio (October), Angeles-Clark (November) and Metro Manila (December). 


The runs are open in all running enthusiasts.

Categories include the 3K race, 5K and 12 K in the provincial legs, and a special 21K race for the final leg in Metro Manila. 


Cash prizes and specially crafted trophies will be given to the top 10 winners of each category. For the 5k and 10k categories, 13 years old and above are qualified to join. The 3k race is also open to all ages who wish to run this short distance but only the top three 12-years-old below finishers are qualified to win cash prizes.

``We are preparing very unique race packets for every participant, that will include a collector’s item special Dri-Fit Shirt made by Jockey USA, and other collectibles,’’ reveals overall race director Adi Delos Reyes, who has been behind such big running events such as the Subic International Marathon and The Enterprise Center Vertical Run.

Registration dates and venues will soon be announced.

This early, the city governments of Cebu and Davao, have already committed their support to the event. Beneficiaries are the Children’s Hour and Kaakbay sa Kalikasan. Proceeds from the races will be used to improve water conditions and provide LifeStraw to the most deprived communities.

For inquiries on how to support The Philippine Water Runs or participate in your area, e-mail randy.caluag@veepo.net.

Goldilocks Anniversary Run Results

The Goldilocks 45th Anniversary results are out and you can check your official clockings. Just click here if you want to see how you fared last Sunday.

R.A.C.E

If there is one ADVOCACY that I would fervently support, it would be the fight against contractual employment. I believe that it is everyone's right to have a secure job. 

Secure job, you see, provides a secure lifestyle. Secured lives promotes productivity and development. 

Let us support this advocacy event. Let us raise awareness regarding this menace and race this Saturday, 14th of May at Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Pasay City.

Organizers are still accepting registration at the venue. Although they've announced that there would be no singlets for late registrants which only means that there is a wave of support to this event. But what the heck, we can even run naked, right?!

See you Saturday!!!

For more info, call 02-473-7320 and 02-332-1378.

You can also check the event's facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Run-Against-Contractual-Employment-RACE/169813513070280.

PBA Run for a Cause

I participated in this event last year when the inaugural race was held at the Mall of Asia. If you are a PBA fanatic, this is a great opportunity to mingle with your past and present basketball idols.

Another thing I like about this event is that organizers are not "mushy" about why they are organizing the event. No big causes, just fitness and fun. Period! Add to this that they are promising to give several pesos to the Cancer and Hematology Department of PCMC. 

So if you want to stay fit while getting a glimpse of your favorite PBA star, then run to Chris Sports Outlets (SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Robinsons Ermita, Glorietta & MOA), ROX-Bonifacio High Street and Second Wind-ORtigas and register now. 

You can also register online at http://runforacause.pba.ph/ for this event scheduled on May 29. The event will start and end at the Frontera Verde Tiendesitas.

Run For Integrity

Although I have reservations as to how the organizers are marketing this run, I am still supporting it for the sake of running and being fit. I didn't run in the Condura event because I don't feel the dolphins are getting the fair share of the amount the organizers are raking in, but that, of course, is another story.

This run made my day after I read an email from organizers asking me to be part of history by joining the first running event in the Philippines that is aimed at fighting corruption head on. WTF!

Fighting corruption head on through running? You judge. But running inside the Global City is always fun, so if you're just like me who wants fun out of running, register now and enjoy. Maybe, just maybe, we can diminish corruption in the country by running that 3k or 5k. And if you are really sincere in curbing corruption, why not run in the the 10k or the 15k events.

Here are some of the facts you need to know about the race:

• Register, Pay & Pick-up your race packets at any of the following registration sites :
  • ECCP office, 19th Floor, AXA Life Building along Gil Puyat Avenue corner Tindalo St. Makati City
  • Chris Sports Branches:  SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, Market! Market! at the Fort, Glorietta 3, SM Mall of Asia & Festival Mall Alabang.  
• Entry fee is P500 for all categories, which includes the Race Packet (Singlet, Bib, Information Brochure), Post-Event Pack (Finisher Certificate, Items from sponsors) & Medal for all 15K finishers
• Click HERE To download a copy of the  REGISTRATION FORM
• Click HERE To download the SINGLET INFORMATION sheet
• Click HERE To download the EVENT POSTER

Curb corruption now, run!!! bwahahahahahah!!!