Run United 2 - 11.21.2010

Run United 2 is the last in the Runrio Trilogy 2010. Two batches of runs were scheduled on Nov 20 & 21 ( 3-10-21kms on the 20th and 5-15-32kms on the 21st). Registration opened on Oct 10 . We usually run on sunday so that my 2 children and I registered early for the 5km .

When we registered we got only 2 singlets and we were told that the remaining singlet would be available after 2 weeks. Apparently , there was a problem with the singlet supplier and the organizer had to get another supplier in china & air transport the bulk of the singlets . The organizer promised to text us when the singlet was ready to be picked up.

10 days before the run and still there's no text from the organizer. Luckily, when i registered on Nov 11 at ROX for the Sugar Rush run on Nov 14, i asked the unilab booth if i can get the singlet from them even though we registered at Glorietta. They said that there's a booth right outside ROX where the organizer was distributing singlets. So i checked it out and behold, there were boxes of singlet. I am happy that i got our remaining singlet.

On the day of the run, we found out that 5k runners numbered to 5,000! No wonder Coach Rio has already anticipated the big turn out that's why there were two separate dates. Gun started at 545am and off we go.

There were three water stations for 5k and am saddened that lots of used plastic cups littered the water station areas. This was too bad for the environment. I hope there will be a way to curb this not-eco friendly practice.

I crossed the finish line at 33 mins; a 2 minute improvement of my time. My son came in second and daughter, third.

Like past runrio events, this run was a huge success. It was very organized-- sufficient water stations, lots of freebies, with photovendo, no long queues to get your loot bags. Coach Rio was hands on and he saw to it that the runners would have fun ,satisfaction and memorable run.

Sugar Rush 11.14.2010

In support of World Diabetes Day, my husband and i joined the fun run aptly named Sugar Rush. Venue was SM MOA and we registered for 3K. My daughter did not run but took photos instead.



We crossed the starting line together with some late 5k runners.

10 meters to finish line...

crossed the finish line at 29 mins

showing off our race certificate while queuing to get our loot bags...

we won an umbrella in the post-race program.

Daughter did not participate but acted as our photographer..

My post race review:
1) :) The race started on time
2) :( While it was a run for a cause , water stations were inadequate. For the 3k, water station was located 100 meters before the finish line. Learning my lesson from previous runs, i brought bottled water which i shared with my husband; it was a wise move...dont rely soley on the organizer for hydration..
3) :) There were marshalls stationed in every kilometer which was good.
4) :) Post race program was nice and encouraging; participants joined in the quiz portion and prizes were given.
5) :) Loot bags were distributed without any hassle.

City Tour - Puerto Princesa Part 2 -11.08.2010

Still on Day 1

The city tour is aptly scheduled on our first day at 1:30pm. It cost us Php600 per pax. It's nice that we were only 4 local tourists in the van so it was roomy. The tour would be around 4 hours.

Itinerary:

1) Immaculate Conception Cathedral

2) Plaza Cuartel
3) Handicraft Weavers
4) Crocodile Farm
5) Iwahig Penal Colony

6) Mitra's Ranch

7) Baker's Hill

8) local tiangge

As light rain poured, we drove first to Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The cathedral was painted light blue and white and has two spires. Due to the rain, we decided not to alight from the van.( We returned to the area on our last day and thank goodness the weather was great)

On the opposite side of the cathedral was Plaza Cuartel. Our female tour guide told us the main event that happened at the cuartel.
Inside the plaza was a bronze marker. This marker was placed above the area where the main underground bunkers existed. American prisoners of world war II were imprisoned in these bunkers. When WWII was about to end , the Japanese who overtook Plaza Cuartel realized that they were losing the war. So they put all the prisoners in the dungeon and poured drums of petroleum and burned the prisoners alive. There were more or less 150 prisoners and only 11 survived to tell their story.

The marker reads:

"Sa pook na ito na dating tanggulang militar nuong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig naganap ang pagsunog ng mga sundalong hapon sa humigit kumulang 150 Amerikanong bihag ng digma nuong 14 Disyembre 1944. Ilang nakaligtas ay lumangoy sa dagat patungong Iwahig. Ang mga labi ng nasawi ay dinala at inilibing sa St. Louis County sa isang panglahatang libingan sa Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri, United States, 1952"

Translated in English as:

"In this place which was a military fort of World War II, the burning of more or less 150 American POW was done by Japanese soldiers on December 14, 1944. Some managed to survive by swimming their way out from the sea to Iwahig. The remains of those who died were brought and buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri, United States, 1952".

Our next stop was the handicraft weavers. Similar to Ilocos, there's also a livelihood of weaving buri here in puerto princesa. Our guide told us that these products are being exported abroad and even Calvin Klein ordered buri placemats. Our female tourmate tried the manual weaving machine but i chose to shoot.

We then went to the store where the finished products are displayed and being sold. I got a few book markers made of buri.

Off we go to the crocodile farm. Our guide let us tour the farm by ourselves..i checked out the croc nursery where 3 - 4 month old crocs are being kept; then we went to see the big crocs. The concrete cages were similar to the ones in Zoobic safari. At the end of the croc cages was a jungle like environment where different birds are housed. Since it was quite muddy, we went back to the main building and waited for our tourmates to return. While waiting, we checked out the baby croc which you can hold and have your picture taken at a measly Php30 per 3 poses.

It was my first time to hold a baby croc and it was kinda cold. maybe because they are cold-blooded animal? The handler gave me a bonus photo so that's 4 shots instead of 3. Other local tourists followed and had their picture taken as well. My husband didnt oblige..

Iwahig Penal Colony was next. It was quite a long ride. It was a smooth ride as the main road was beautifully paved. However, upon entering Iwahig, it was rough road but not rocky. It was a refreshing sight--ricefields on both sides of the road,lots of greenery. The prisoners live in nipa huts and can freely roam the area. They wore color coded shirts- brown for minimum security, blue for mid security risk and red for high risk or maximum security.

After Iwahig, we drove about 30 minutes going to Mitra Farm. It was located a-top a hill and one can see overview of the city. As the sun was almost setting, didnt stay long. we took a couple of photos and headed down to the city to get some stuff at the local tiangge.

We're back at the pension house before 6pm .just enough time to clean up for dinner at Ka Lui. (Photo of Puerto Pension at night)

Puerto Princesa, Palawan Adventure 2010 -Part I

Thanks to CebuPacific's anniversary seatsale in June, I was able to book/buy cheapest fare to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for travel period Nov 8-10, 2010. Since my two grown ups have work and studies, this trip would be just my husband and me. Round trip airfare for two (2) cost us Php 1217.60 only; had it not been for the insurance , the fare would have only been around Php 717 .. It was still a great buy.

Next step was to reserve for our accommodation. My husband and I searched the internet for hotels in Palawan, read reviews, asked friends who have been to Puerto Princesa. My former manager stayed at Microtel, a former colleague stayed at The Legend and a former teammate, at Puerto Pension (did you notice, they're all former !).

After considering the cost per night, amenities , wifi and other things, we finally booked 2 nights at Puerto Pension. The reviews about Puerto Pension were good and this place was recommended by Lonely Planet as well. Room cost Php1500 per night, continental breakfast can be upgraded to either Filipino or American for additional Php88. There's a free airport transfer as well. The pension is walking distance to the bay. This baywalk is similar to Manila's baywalk along Roxas boulevard. This area is good for walking and jogging and .of course, photoshoot. It is also in this baywalk where boats offering dolphin watching tour are docked.

Four months after booking the flight, we're finally boarding at 810am. The flight was just over an hour. Puerto Princesa's airport has no passenger tube so we took the stairs down to the tarmac and headed for the arrival area picked up our bag and waited for our transfer.

Puerto Pension staff was there waiting for us. He drove an airconditioned jeepney. As we passed by the main road, Rizal Avenue , we saw many tricyles. The driver cum tour narrator was in a jolly mood and started narrating to us some facts about Puerto Princesa. He's proud that Puerto Princesa is the country's cleanest and greenest city. It was clean indeed!!! You can not see any litters on the streets; there are big green trash bins every 200 meters; litter bugs will be fined. The tricyles follow a color coding scheme--white and blue colored trike alternate each day. I believe this is to avoid traffic jams.

Basically, cutting of trees is not allowed. Moreover, there is an annual tree and mangrove planting in Puerto Princesa in order to maintain the ecology and the green surroundings . Also, there is only one mall in Puerto Princesa. It is called NCC and it is only 3-4 floors (am not sure but the building is not high). The people jokingly called it No-Choice mall coz being the only mall, they have no choice. We also saw outlets of Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Mister Donut. We also passed by some famous restos--Ka Lui , Kinabuchs (famous for its Tamilok and croc meat), Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill. Suprisingly, there is not one movie house in Puerto Princesa. The people here are happy to go home after work; they prefer to go nature tripping instead of going to the movies. According to our driver, there was one theater before but it eventually closed down because only few people watch.

As we turned to Malvar Street where Puerto Pension is located, i saw the baywalk afar and i got excited; i cant wait to check it out. The staff at the reception were friendly ; they served us cold gulaman drink and after filling up some forms, off we go to our room. Room 20 is located on the 3rd floor.

The room is small but has enough elbow room to move around. The motiff of Puerto Pensionis tribal so the room has lots of native decors. We have a view of the bay which is refreshing. The bathroom was clean and white. There's hot water equipment, bidet, clothes line. The towels are white and almost new (which i like); small ref, cable TV, aircon, overhead electric fan (fan blades were anahaw leaf shaped)..It's all good...now we rest...