21-km run in 2:08:27

Today was my second 21-km run at the Fort for Ayala's Eco Dash. The rains poured heavily, puddles dotted the streets, at one point there was very low visibility, and there were no markers that tell how many more kilometers to go.

The 21-km route started from High Street, then to Ayala Center via Buendia overpass and Paseo de Roxas, then to McKinley Hill and Libingan ng mga Bayani via The Fort and back to High Street for the finish line. It took me 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 27 seconds. This is a 20-minute improvement from my first one last May, and for me a really big one considering I was not truly prepared for the run at all. True enough, it is very helpful to have a running buddy so you set the pace together or outpace each other when needed. This way, mas bibilis ka at nakakahiyang bumagal.

And as always, my legs are hurting big time again. Good thing my knees did not fail me this time lest my training for the dragon boat race in Singapore which happens in four weeks will be hit. Running 21 kilometers is already a big ordeal, how much worse if I run 42 kilometers? I will soon find out.

In a different note, my baby was finally home yesterday. Thanks to Armi, Chester, and Magoo for the all help. Let's go to Tagaytay for dinner when I master my parking skills. Haha.

Two months past mid-year and counting

It is officially the start of Christmas as the -ber months have arrived. Just this morning on my way to office, I heard that song that goes "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." It reminded me of the excitement which, as a child, I used to feel whenever I hanged socks in the Christmas tree and eagerly awaited for 'Santa' to leave his presents. My yaya of course would bring me to bed for afternoon siesta so my mom could put her sweets inside my socks. Those were the days of innocence.

Now that I am working and 20+ years old, Christmas for me means two different things. On the fun side, lots of parties are in line and a long holiday is slated at the end of the year. That's a welcome break to chill-out and go home. On the not-so-fun side are the expenses I will have to incur for presents. Talk about give-and-take relationship with friends. Will a simple Christmas greeting and my prayers suffice? Haha.

Two months past midyear, i got regularized. This means I am now a fully-fledged P&Ger. That was fast! What's ahead of me are months and years of an exciting career. Bring it on!

Next week, I am adopting a baby. He is white and I am yet to name him. Vroooooom!

Tie a yellow ribbon

I was only two months old when People Power brought down dictatorship and catapulted Mrs. Corazon Aquino as the country's first woman president.

Corazon Aquino was president until I was six years old. All through my younger years I only knew her as the widowed housewife who was protagonist in the Edsa Revolution and mother of the famous Kris Aquino.

But now her contribution to the country has become more and more clear and significant to me. Not only was she the first woman president, Edsa's protagonist, and Kris Aquino's mother. She was a living proof that Filipinos are capable of doing something noble and extraordinary. Simple, Unmarred and honest, she was - and will forever be - respected by Filipinos of all walks of life, and by the entire world.

With her demise, I can only hope that Tita Cory's challenge - and not only memories - will continue to thrive in every Filipino.

You suffered. You worked hard. You were humble. Your ruled well. You were - and will always be - a beacon for young Filipinos to admire and follow.

Paalam Tita Cory.

Be one of us.