runningpinoy is now on Facebook!

Too lazy to type my über long webby address runningpinoy.wordpress.com?  Well if you have a Facebook account you can still be updated as finally I gave in and tied this site via http://www.facebook.com/pages/runningpinoy/167457018801 (hmm I think this one is even longer! ).  Or simply type “runningpinoy” in the search box and click the “Like” button.  Keep in touch guys!

10.10.10 Run for Pasig River

ABS-CBN Foundation in its sustaining effort for Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig launched the MALINAW Advocacy on April 15, 2010.

As a clear call-to-action to inspire Filipinos from all walks of life, the MALINAW advocacy aims to bring back the glory of Pasig River and mobilizes the whole populace into action.  It’s a yearning we’ve all clamored for—a Pasig River that is clean and sustainable for present and future generations.

As a milestone to this advocacy, the 10.10.10. RUN FOR PASIG RIVER aims to raise awareness and funds for the river.  Among ABS-CBN Foundation’s initiatives to restore the Pasig River, the 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River is more than a run, it’s a social movement.

The 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River is targeting 101,010 runners from different sectors—the largest run ever conceptualized and to be actualized in the world—including government offices, schools, business corporations, and many more that will give their support and join the rally for the Pasig.

Surely, the Filipinos, yet again, may turn the heads of the Guinness Book of World Records.

It will consist of four major starting points—SM Mall of Asia (3K), CCP Complex (5K), and Makati (10K), all converging to one finish line at the SM Mall of Asia where a grand celebration will also be held after to cap-off this epic movement!

Everyone is invited to save the Pasig River and prove, once again, that the Filipino can stand, or in this case run together for one good cause.

On 10.10.10, save the date!  Save the river.

Run for Pasig River

When: October 10, 2010
Where: Various starting points depending on event

• 3K: SM Mall of Asia
• 5K: CCP Complex
• 10K: Makati

All events converge at the SM Mall of Asia

Registration: P250

You may download the registration form here or register online here.

Race Routes

Here are the race routes for 10K, 5K, and 3K:

For more information about this event visit http://www.101010runforpasigriver.com.

See Also: 10.10.10 Run Makes History

The Ortigas Center Run

I never thought that this day would come—finally, the first race in Ortigas Center!

The Ortigas Center Association, Inc. (OCAI) has decided to partner with the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center (RCOC) to hold the Run for the benefit of the various humanitarian projects of RCOC.

With Rudy Biscocho as the run’s race director, all the people behind the event are aiming to accomplish the goals of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center and Balance Lifestyle Fitness, and thus for the first time, this 27th of June, 2010, at 5:00 in the morning, more than four thousand (4,000) runners will run along the streets of Ortigas Center and surrounding areas, for the 3K, 5K, and 10K distances of the first ever OCAI RUN.

You may download the registration form here.

Press Release:

Ortigas Center warms up for first ever road run

Running enthusiasts will be psyched to learn that they will be able to sprint through the wide and hilly avenues of Ortigas Center come June 27, 2010. Thanks to the Ortigas Center Association, Inc. (OCAI), a non-stock, non-profit organization commissioned to uphold the stature of Ortigas Center as one of the nation’s prime business districts, the very first OCAI Run will have its gun start at 5:00am for 10k runners, 5:15am for 5k runners and 5:30am for 3k runners in front of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

But this won’t be your usual, pardon the pun, run-of-the-mill race. What makes this different from the myriad fun runs that dominate the country’s fitness calendars these days is the location. “Never before has Ortigas Center hosted a run before,” said race director Rudy Biscocho. “Due to the elevation in and around the Ortigas Center area, there will be uphill stretches guaranteed to test your mettle,” he teased. “But naturally, for every uphill climb there is a reward, and you can improve you time by increasing your pace downhill,” explained Biscocho.

The 10k route will feature a downhill trek on Lanuza Drive in Valle Verde and an uphill stretch on Julia Vargas Avenue. The 3k race will be a more casual breeze within the Ortigas Center.

“This first ever road run in Ortigas Center aims to accomplish the goals of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center and Balance Lifestyle Fitness,” said Luz N. Cotoco, Chairman of OCAI. “It is also for the benefit of the various humanitarian projects of RCOC,” added Cotoco.

Registration fee is Php 400 for any of the three distances which is inclusive of one race bib, baller band, route map, finisher shirt and loot bag that will be given out right after the run. All proceeds of the OCAI Run will go to the humanitarian projects of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center. Registration period is from April 30 to June 23, 2010, at all Mizuno outlets and at OCAI Office until June 26. Many raffle prizes including a Technomarine watch and giveaways await lucky participants, while cash prizes will be given to the top 3 finishers of each category.

For inquiries call 890-4230 and 0922-8367990 and look for Ms Ana Salas. Or check out their Facebook page by searching for “OCAI Run”. The OCAI Run is organized by OCAI with RCOC, presented by the Ortigas & Company Limited Partnership and sponsored by HSBC, Meralco, Puregold, The San Miguel Corporation, First Holdings, Flanax, Xenical, The Oriental Assurance Corporation, BusinessWorld, CCI Enterprises, SM Megamall, Robinsons Department Store, Unilever and Ropali.

Humanitarian Projects of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center:

• Immaculate Conception Cathedral Soup Kitchen
  RCOC supports, with a regular monthly donation of Php 7,500.00, high school scholars of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral (ICC) Soup Kitchen, organized and operated by volunteers of the ICC located at Pasig City. Some members of RCOC also individually provide monthly scholarship support in varying amounts.

  The ICC Soup Kitchen was organized primarily to provide regular feeding, every Wednesday and Saturday of the week, to more than 300 street children of Pasig City. The feeding program is used as a tool, and is supplemented by, religious, anti-dangerous drugs, etc. teachings to the children.

  RCOC also holds an annual gift-giving activity for the beneficiary children and their families.

• San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School Special Education (SPED) Students
  RCOC, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong, earlier donated a braille embosser to the vision-impaired students of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School in Pasig City. Before the said donation, volunteer-teachers of the school used to manually type books in brail to enable the said students to read them. The very expensive braille embosser, now enables volumes of books to be printed in braille.

  RCOC maintains the said embosser and regularly provides consumables, like paper.

  In coordination with the Asian Eye Institute (AEI), RCOC also provides eye check-ups for the vision-impaired students. Last year, RCOC managed to have one of the students undergo a cataract and lens replacement operation with the help of AEI and the Philippine Ophthalmological Society.

• Adoption of the Rizal Experimental School and Pilot School For Cottage Industries (RESPSCI)RCOC has adopted RESPSCI, a public school located in Pasig City, by providing scholarships to chosen high school students of RESPSCI.

  To promote and improve proficiency in English, Math and Science, RCOC also gives out annual awards (medals and cash) to the Best in Math, Best in English and Best in Science students. RCOC likewise sponsors various projects of RESPSCI. During Rotary Year 2009-2010, RCOC sponsored two educational field trips and financial support to cover expenses of participation of students in out-of-town competitions.

• Interact of RESPSCI
  Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance.

  RCOC organized, supports and maintains an Interact Club, composed of high school students of RESPSCI. Every year, RCOC inducts the new directors, officers and members of “RESPSCI Interact of RCOC.” This Rotary Year, RCOC also conducted an orientation program and an anti-drug forum designed to lead the youth of Interact and RESPSCI away from dangerous drugs.

• The Sinag Kalinga Foundation
  In early 2009, RCOC was introduced to the Sinag Kalinga Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit association established to provide for the welfare and needs of senior citizens who are incapable of adequately caring for themselves. Sinag Kalinga operates a hospice in Lucban, Quezon for abandoned and destitute elderlies.

  RCOC and Sinag Kalinga thereafter entered into a “Partnership in Eldery Care” project. As initial support, RCOC adopted three (3) elderlies for one (1) year, providing financial support in the amount of Php 7,000.00 per month per adopted elderly. This is the cost of maintaining each elderly, covering food and medicines. RCOC is working on continuing this support, and more, for Sinag Kalinga.

• Calamity Relief Operations
  • Botolan, Zambales Victims. Early in the Rotary Year, or on 23 August 2009, RCOC answered the call of the Rotary Club of Olongapo City to provide assistance to typhoon victims of Botolan, Zambales. Officers and members of RCOC traveled to the said municipality and delivered much needed items, such as food, towels, feeding bottles, etc.
  • Ondoy & Pepeng Victims. RCOC was among the first to mobilize its members and resources to undergo the following relief operations:
    • Brgy. San Miguel and Pinagbuhat, Pasig City. RCOC braved the waist-deep floods to deliver relief packages consisting of rice, ready-to-eat canned products, noodles, soap and pails to more than 300 desperate victims of the calamities.
    • Taytay, Rizal. Joined by its Mayor and members of its Sangguniang Bayan, RCOC also conducted relief operations in three (3) different locations in Taytay, Rizal, benefiting more than 200 victims.
    • ICC families. More than 150 families of the children of the ICC Soup Kitchen also received relief goods from RCOC.
    • Tanay, Rizal. RCOC also answered the call for support from the Rotary Club of Tanay, Rizal and turned-over relief goods to the said Club.
• Tulay Lingap ni Padre Pio
  RCOC has had a continuing support relationship with the Tulay Lingap ni Padre Pio, the social action commission of the Capuchin Order in the Philippines. Tulay Lingap has been helping provide free and socialized medical care to the needy.

  This Rotary Year, RCOC donated Php 25,000.00 to support the construction of Tulay Lingap’s socialized Pharmacy which now stands at the Lourdes School at Shaw Boulevard. RCOC is also working on linkages between the said pharmacy and RCOC’s project beneficiaries like the Sinag Kalinga.

• Uniforms and Awards for Ortigas Center Traffic and Maintenance Personnel
  Every year, as part of RCOC’s continuing cooperation with the Ortigas Center Association, Inc., RCOC provides free uniforms to Ortigas Center maintenance personnel.

  RCOC also gives out semestral awards (recognition certificates and cash) to the Most Outstanding Maintenance Personnel, Most Outstanding Security Guard, and Most Outstanding Traffic Enforcer in Ortigas Center.

TNF100 Race Results

Race results for the recently concluded TNF100 Philippines 2010 is now posted via www.thenorthface100.ph.  Congratulations everyone!

The first part of my TNF100 Chronicles is already posted: The Adventure Begins

SanMig Coffee Bay Run

SanMig Coffee Bay Run Dash for Health 2010

When: May 23, 2010
Where: SM Mall of Asia
Distances (and gunstart): 15K (5:30AM), 10K (5:45AM), 5K (5:50AM), 3K (5:55AM)
Registration: P550 for 15K and 10K; P450 for 5K and 3K at

• Chris Sports
  Festival Mall, Mall of Asia, Glorietta, SM North Edsa Annex, SM Megamall
• ROX
  Bonifacio High Street

Race kit includes a singlet, race bib, food stub, photo stub, loot bag stub, and map.

SanMig Bay Run Singlet

Limits Tested, Trails Endured—TNF100 Completed!

Congratulations to all TNF100 Philippines 2010 finishers particularly those in 50 and 100K!  This goes out as well to those who finished outside the cutoff—be proud of what you’ve accomplished!  And to those who weren’t as successful, the important thing is to never stop striving!

I’m especially proud of our TNF50 ladies whom not only successfully completed their campaign, some even placed within the top 10.  Placers or not, we are all winners in our own race.

Never stop exploring–The North Face

Thank you to my friends who sent their love and support from both near and afar, and thank you beautiful Baguio for your warm hospitality!  Watch out for my TNF100 story coming up soon!

Related: TNF100 Race Results

April 22 is Earth Day

Today, April 22, 2010 marks the 40th Earth Day celebration.

Think of the Earth. Think of Home. (Courtesy NASA Goddard Photo and Video)

The world has certainly seen better days and for those old enough they’ve seen the world degrade over the last four decades.  I sure hope that the next four decades that we see would be a better one than the last.  Think of the Earth.  Think of home.  It’s the only one we got.  Happy Earth Day!

Labor Day Run

On May 1st, Saturday, go the extra mile and run for a better Philippines as we celebrate the working Filipino at the 1st Annual Labor Day Run.

The First Annual Labor Day Run
When: Saturday, May 01, 2010
Where: Katipunan Circle, Bonifacio Global City
Distances: 5K, 3K
Registration: P250 for 3K and P300 for 5K. First 1000 registered runners will receive a Labor Day Run souvenir shirt from Roam Philippines.

Registration is from April 22-30, 2010 at

• ROX Bonifacio High Street
• Figaro Coffee Emerald Building, Pasig City and Tomas Morato, Quezon City

You may also download the registration form here.  For more information with this event you can e-mail labordayrun2010@gmail.com.

Featured Race: VSO-PNA Kabahagi Run 2010

VSO Bahaginan, in its efforts to raise funds for its programs in the areas of disability work, secure livelihoods, peace building, youth volunteering and community exchange, and in partnership with the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), will be holding the VSO-PNA Kabahagi Run 2010 at McKinley Hill, Taguig on April 25, Sunday which will have 3K, 5K, and 10K distances.  This is the 2^nd time that VSO is conducting a fun run as part of its fundraising activities, the first one being the Kabahagi Run in November 2008 at The Fort.

VSO Bahaginan is a development organization committed to fighting global poverty and disadvantage through a wide range of volunteering development programs, including international and national volunteering.  Visit www.vsobahaginan.org.ph for more information on our programs and how you can support the work of volunteers.

This running event is being conducted to celebrate the spirit volunteerism of the Filipino as manifested in the volunteers that VSO sends to international placements in developing and underdeveloped countries who have given their lives and shared their skills in the service of others.  It also pays tribute to the Filipino nurses here and abroad who keep Filipinos and other nationalities healthy and safe.  For PNA, the run’s main event partner, the activity serves as PNA’s opening salvo as it celebrates the International Day of Nurses on May 12, 2010.

VSO-PNA Kabahagi Run 2010
When: Sunday, April 25, 2010
Where: McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Distances: 3K, 5K, and 10K
Registration: P350 until April 21; P450 April 22-24 inclusive of a race kit with a singlet and accident insurance.  You may register at

• ROX
  Bonifacio High Street, Global City
• VSO Bahaginan Office
  305 Pacific Corporate Center, West Avenue, Quezon City
• Philippine Nursing Association (PNA) Office
  1663 F.T. Benitez Street, Malate, Manila
• Chris Sports
  Branches: Glorietta, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Annex, Festival Mall

For inquiries, please call (02) 374 6450–52 local 14 or 09178078455 or 09207337930 and look for Happy Raagas.  You may download the registration form here.

It is anticipated that this run will raise the profile VSO to encourage and provide Filipino professionals with an avenue to volunteer here and abroad as well as support the advocacies of the PNA.  Partners of this run are Pocari Sweat as the main beverage partner, Universal Robina, Men’s Health, CHEERS Foundation, Lake Island Resort, IP Ventures, First Metro Travel Inc., ROX, Chris Sports, and many more.

Mt. Maculot Revisited (Part 2)

The challenges were going back up the trails and retrace our route from the summit to find the right way.  Luckily my teammates followed my suggestion of packing light so despite the crumbling ground, with teamwork they were able to pull through with relative difficulty.   I however didn’t with my weight training.  Mt. Maculot was having its revenge on me. I was practically unscathed the last time we met; now I was experiencing the runner up for the scariest moment of my life—hanging onto dear life as my arms were solely carrying my entire weight, clinging onto roots that I dug while the ground beneath me that offered little support was slowly eroding due to my weight!  I seriously felt like anytime the roots would give out, I’d slide down, and be unable to climb back up the eroded ground.   And I can’t keep carrying my entire weight for long!

The challenging part of the trail, courtesy Jairuz

Luckily our sweeper Allen did great at his duty and stayed with me (from stable grounds of course) during my struggle and lent a hand until I was able to pull through.   I was also lucky that the others didn’t saw what happened to me as it was really scary.

I climbed up and grab onto the root we originally used going down.  As the ground crumbled I had to expose more of the root and cling to it with both arms.   I had to think fast and dig for some more roots before the ground totally erodes, and eventually I found another on my left where there’s a more stable ground.   The problem was that a really thorny plant was blocking my path to transfer.   I was running out of time as the ground totally gave way so I just reached and grabbed that root and before I was able to successfully transfer to it I felt a lot of thorns gracing my face.   From there I don’t really remember how I managed to reach for the stable ground where Allen was staying.   All I know was that I got away from it all with some small holes in my upper lip area (no thorns were carried apparently) and an inch of cut on my left knee, aside from some minor scratches of course.  Thanks Allen for staying!

Dead end! (Jumping off a ravine isn’t part of the plan) Courtesy Carina

I wasn’t smiling right after that incident and I thought that “this isn’t fun anymore!”   I felt that my heart beat was really elevated and my right quads was throbbing—all muscles of it, ready to have cramps at any second.   Fortunately running thought me some lessons so after some rehydration and proper management of effort we were all going back to the summit to find the right trail down.  And of course the idea of finding the right way brought back my smile.

We were back on top and Mt. Maculot had already given us more adventure than we seek.   Eventually the right path made itself visible to us and so we were on our way to the campsite where the infamous store used to stand.  Of course going there still gave us some challenges as we encountered crumbling trails on the way down.

This is how the old store looks like now; well it’s no longer a store although you can still buy cold drinks in the area (Pinoy ingenuity, but sadly no more halo-halo)

From the camp site most of us went to view the Rockies but only two went to it due to laziness brought about by the heat.  After resting for quite a while and some cold drinks we started our descent just before 3PM.

The Rockies which I wanted to go to but I got a bit too lazy

Our group just before our descent

Going down…

Sadly the numerous Buco (Coconut) juice vendors that frequent the trail a year ago were also gone but one still managed to stay completing my day.  Again, ingenuity.

This is where “tourists” normally start their trek

Climb Tip: The advantage of descending near the mountaineering store was the proximity of houses where you can take a bath, for a fee of course.  A tricycle terminal is also located nearby.

After our descent we opted for some nice bath, halo-halo, and barbecue, all of which in the vicinity of the mountaineering store.  From there our buses back to Manila are just a tricycle ride and P20 (per person) away.

Our trail route (via Google Earth): note that from the summit we were mislead by an established trail to a dead end so we went back to summit and found a way back to the camp site (Rockies), totaling at least 6K worth of trails

To those also planning to follow our path here’s the summary of our route: start at the jumpoff point (Grotto trail), climb to summit, head towards the camp site (Rockies), and descended to the mountaineering store area (descent from summit is approximate as my GF405 ran out of batteries).  But don’t forget to register first!

Appeal: I kept mentioning the word “tourists” in this post to refer to the sets of people that litter the mountain leaving all sorts of junk that they carry with them.  Unfortunately Mt. Maculot is in a very bad shape because of them and is in fact worse state now than my last visit a year ago.  Don’t be a tourist, be a responsible mountaineer by bringing all your trash with you on the way down! Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos, kill nothing but time.  Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution!

Please keep our mountains clean

At the end of the day I was pretty satisfied with the way things turned out.  It didn’t go “according to plan” the same way our last visit did but the unanticipated moments of getting lost and finding our way back really made it into an adventure—the thrill of spontaneity.  If everything went “according to plan” we may not have enjoyed our climb as much, and even I who thought knew enough the trails of Mt. Maculot had new lessons learned.

Mt. Maculot adventure complete!

Congratulations to my group particularly the first timers for completing their first trek/traverse! Great job guys and I hope you learned some valuable things with our assault, and hope this is just the start of many more climbs to come!