Barefoot Revolution Hits the Philippines

Words by Barefootwear Inc.

The past years have certainly brought many revolutionary changes to the world.  A prime example is the way people use shoes.  For thousands of years, people have grown accustomed to wearing closed footwear.  When Vibram founder Vitale Bramani invented the first rubber soles for mountaineering boots in 1935, it was the beginning of a revolution.  More than 70 years later, Vibram is still known around the world as the undisputed leader in soling technology for a wide range of quality performance footwear.  Today, Vibram manufactures more than 34 million soles annually for more than 1,000 premium footwear brands worldwide such as Nike, Merrell, Ferragamo, Gucci, Cole Haan and Prada, to name a few.

VFF Sprint (Credit: Barefootwear Inc.)

Featured Race: Blue Water Day Spa Run

“Take care of your body.  Reveal your true beauty.  Incorporate a holistic lifestyle of beauty and wellness, innovate wholeness.”  This is how Blue Water Day Spa defines their profile, and as such they are upholding it with a fun run on October 17, 2010 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

Blue Water Day Spa Run

When: October 17, 2010
Where: SM Mall of Asia
Registration: P500 for 3K, P600 for 5K, and P700 for 10K*
October 05, 2010 update: P300 for all distances inclusive of a singlet, towel, race bib, and a drawstring bag with freebies.  You may register at the following sites:

• Timex SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta
• ROX Bonifacio High Street
• Columbia Greenbelt 5
• Res Toe Run Gateway
• Urban Luxe Facial Center and Spa Ayala Alabang
• Blue Water Day Spa Makati, Ortigas, Eastwood, Tomas Morato, Greenhills

You may also register online here.

Kenyan + Ethiopian CamSur Invasion

What a great marathon it really was, as hot as the race day weather!  The first Summit Water CamSur Marathon had just concluded, and the Kenyans weren’t able to complete their dominance with the race.

Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) A Year Hence: DAtE

By Design Against the Elements (DAtE):

It takes only seconds to destroy what takes years to build.  Thousands of Filipinos learned this last year, when Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) took lives and homes.  Help reduce the painful cycle of environmental destruction and post-disaster reconstruction through design.  The best donation to a country at risk to the effects of climate change is not just financial aid, but ideas.  This year’s challenge is to prepare communities before the next disaster.

Committing Suislide! (EAT Danao)

All good things eventually comes to an end, and before finally concluding my Bohol trip a visit to the island’s new adventure playground was in place.  Where else but in EAT Danao?

Entrance to EAT Danao

Bohol Island Tour

For the second day of our tour, the island of Bohol itself is our destination.  It doesn’t sound very exciting, until we actually had the tour.  And here’s how our second day of touring transpired:

Does this scene look familiar?

A Surreal World: Fireflies Kayaking at Abatan River

Kayaking has always been my favorite activity on water.  As a runner who is used to going places, a kayak is my best friend on water as it allows me to do as such, like a bike on land.  While I may not own one personally, I never miss the opportunity whenever I had the chance.  And now that another chance presented itself, I can’t help but be enthusiastic!

Yes!

Wet, Wild, and Healthy

It’s the second day of my Bohol trip, and today’s theme: wet, wild, and healthy!  It’s an entire day of getting close to nature with most likely risk of getting wet and close encounters with wild life.  Let’s start the tour.

Beginning my day with delicious Filipino breakfast

Gateway to Bohol: Tagbilaran City

Thursday, September 09, 2010: my longest solo vacation had just begun!  Destination: Tagbilaran City.  Purpose: Adventure!

The good old Manila domestic airport, still in service

TNF Thrill of the Trail Bohol: My Perspective

“Everyone can run on the road, but not everyone can endure the trail.”  That’s what The North Face Thrill of the Trail stands for, and for this leg the series finally landed in the Visayas via Bohol.

The starting line, just before sunrise