Whewww, it has been a long, long while since I posted my last blog.  This past time of putting what's in our mind into words is slowly dying inside me,  but seeing my previous posts kind of woke me up to start writing again.  I cannot let that happen just yet.  But where should I start?  

Glad that when I clicked "create new" posts, I can see from the right hand part of the screen the word "Labels", and from there I remember that topics I once indicated.  This just narrows down my choices on what should I write for "da return of the cambak"- as the famous visayan slang phrase goes.

So, I choose "Picachu".  Ops, not that one.  Just carried away of the new hit app now Pokemon Go which most of my friends are into.  I like to start with "Gadgets and other stuffs" as I have bought a few items already for my outdoor adventures.  But I will make this promise of writing one blog per item so I can yet again practice speaking out my mind even though nobody's watching.  I shall make this official that from now on, i will never edit my blog once I post it.  That is to keep it as honest as to how my heart and mind feels it to be the moment I'm writing it.

I got a new Suunto Core - All black watch that will keep me in check with the terrain's elevation (the only feature that I was very keen of) during one of my hiking and climbing activities.  In consolation to that feature, it also keep me in check with the present temperature and barometric pressure.  It will also keep me in check with my current position (of course with a map) as it has a built in and working compass.  I need to practice using these features though in the future.  It has a very sleek and sophisticated design that can adjust to every situation.  It best even for everyday use.  My wife always nag if I buy new things which she thought is not practical but this time it was short lived as she was happy to have my old watch for herself. :-)  Until my next post.

Halad ni Leon Kilat 42K

I can feel the increasing pressure of TNF100 2014 so I decided to join this year's HLK Marathon. It's just days before that biggest event yet (in my running bucket list). Once again I'm crossing my fingers in the hope of actually finishing it within cut-off time.  My training is never been that good once again.  On and off with no proper training schedule being followed.  So as part of the so-called training I should say, I registered on the last day of the registration period.

As per Meyux, I should at least experience more than 24 hours of being awake and see how my body responds to it.  So there's no better way to do it than join a marathon right after my work shift.

Courtesy of Reynan Opada

Camelbak Ultra LR

1st time to own one that is specifically for running.  Got this on March 3 bought by my brother from ROX Port Bonifacio.  I think we'll have long running years with this durable vest.

1st time I used it wasn't on a practice run but on an actual marathon.  I had to retighten the strap frequently which made me felt betrayed by the hype of it from other reviews but noticed later that the strap were not evenly balanced.  What I like about the vest so far is you won't feel that you're acually carrying a heavy load (2 -L max).  I still need to familiarize this one though especially on a trail course since the climbing and rolling terrain will affect the performance of this vest I guess.  I will continue adding more & more reviews of this hydration pack with dates and new experiences soon and with pictures too. (4/03/2014)

Runilla EcoChallenge

I felt much better better this time, no more frequent adjusting except at the 1st KM where I decided to adjuct the velcro strap to the smallest line.  I guess this was designed for the bigger frames runners.  Still felt sore around my back after Runilla Eco Trail run.  Guess I need more core training before the big.  I will have more training sessions this week in MOalboal.  Hope someone would be interested also go with me.  (4/13/2014)

Hair, There and Everywhere

What's NEXT???

1.  The one that started it all... My 1st Ultra Marathon. ( 1st Cebu Ultramarathon, 11/2010)

2.  The "Legend of Aang" inspired cut ... Courtesy of my ever supporting cool wife (including #'s 3 & 4) (Kawasan Falls Marathon, 7/2011)

3.  Though arrows are pointed, this style is pointless... (Aboitiz Run to Reduce, 8/2011)

4.  Running the highway up North?  Might as well created a new road from my chin up to the back of my head. (not A Kindergarten Ultramarathon, 8/2011)

5.  Plain undercut under my first ever long hair. ( CUC 100K 2nd Leg, 11/2012)

6.  Just interested on why I haven't seen this haircut before.  Now I know. ( Cebu Marathon 2013, 1/2013)

7.  Epic crash of what I thought at first was a "peace sign", but nice to look @ though ... or so I thought. (CUC 100K Leg 3, 7, 2013)

8.  Paid 300 php on this one but spoiled by the never-ending downpour.  (Cebu Marathon 2014, 1/2014)

Sun Runner's Cap

Visit http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/accessories/hats/sun-runner-cap.html for the review of this product.  I have yet to use it during long runs or fun climbs.  Now, I have doubts if what I've got is a genuine one because of the "HUGE" price difference, but it looks so much identical.  Bought mine for less than 400php, so it's already a bargain... I guess? $^%&^#^..





Sigbin 50

I bought this last December 14, 2013 on my 2nd climb to Osmeña peak for 2013.  I was even bringing my day pack when I bought it and eventually stuffed the emptied bag to it. 

I got the green colored one and it comes with a rain cover, which was very new to me.  I was very happy that the salesman emphasized that feature because I end up using it before we reached the peak.  It was "raining cats & dogs".

2nd Osmeña Peak Climb for 2013

Highlights Dec 14-15, 2013 Osmeña Peak to Kawasan Falls Traverse:

1.  Leading the group.

2.  A clearer view of Badian Island and Moalboal's Pescador Island from the peak.

Windows XP

Yes, this is what this so called hill is called... Windows XP.
It was named, I guess, because of this fantastic view that looks the same as the famous Windows desktop wallpaper.

from reidiscovery.com

Red Cross Marathon

I know that it's a gutsy-dumb idea to run 42K without proper training.  But I did it anyway and so I suffered.

This event was supposed to happen on Nov. 10 where my friend Ronnel was the registered runner.  But because of super typhoon Yolanda that hit the country, it was moved to a later date.  After the typhoon has calmed down, Ronnel went to his province where it was one of the areas that was badly hit.  And so his training was halted but he did not tell me in advance that he won't be joining the run anymore. 

Battle for 3rd _ Table Tennis

1st time I used my own paddle in this tournament and it didn't failed me.  Won the 3rd place but a very competitive one:

Here are the scores:
     1st set         - 21 vs 19 - W
     2nd set        - 23 vs 20 - L
     3rd set        - 16 vs 21 - L
     4th set        - 15 vs 21 - W
     5th set        - 21 vs 18 - W


I asked my wife to take a video of the 1st set and all i can say is, "dako-a na sad nako oi".

I won!!!

For the 1st time in my 8 years of stay in Lear that I was able to beat Edmund, MEPZ current champion in tabletennis.  Though it was just a friendly match but for me it was a testament of how far I've gone as a table tennis player.  It was also a consolation since I just lost the semi-final round and have to wait for my opponent in the battle for 3rd place.  The one who beat me would be my everyday inspiration from now on.  I still have to beat him in a match.  It was not long ago that many of the top players here wouldn't play with me because I'm not good/competitive enough.  Hope I won't be satisfied with this achievement and would try my best to learn everyday.



BTW, I was  using a PAN ASIA Butterfly hobby bat.  It was not a very high end paddle but works well for me than the customized ones. 

PingPong, anyone?

It’s one sport that I really love doing.  I have no formal training, don’t even know the famous players of this sport but have have this bizarre yet effective style that works pretty well.  Re-learning the basics thru YOUTUBE and practice with officemate indeed improved my game.

Way back when I was in the fourth grade, my family moved into our new house.  I was first introduced to this sport (much more of a past time) by the carpenters building our home.  Back on those days, the paddle/racket we had was made from cut-out “plywood”.  I can still remember the brand of our pingpong ball “Pioneer” and it worth 7php back then.  It gets easily broken not because it was made of weak material but most likely because of the uncontrollable wooden pounding… hahaha.. The net was made of the so called “net bag” while our table tennis table had a way out-of-standard dimensions.  I would have loved to continue playing pingpong, yet my brothers easily got bored of it and played other games.  To make the story short, I transferred to the city when I was in high school.  I couldn't recall a single moment that I ever held a racket within that four-year stay.  When I was in college, our PE class should have been allotted  for table tennis.  However, during that semester, one class was offered with "Arnis".  And unfortunately, I was in that class. The company where I first employed had this nice table tennis amenities where most of the players had their own customized paddles.  I now learned to use them and understood that a good table tennis player always beats the average player but great players beat great players because this have those more advanced rubbers.  Hope to customize my own soon. JJJ

By the way, I just thought of writing this blog because I just won my first 2 games in our company’s table tennis tournament.  I was trying to understand how I come to love this sport .  Then I realized that it just fits my character.  The very reason why I loved long distance running might also be the reason why I love PingPong.  I just don’t get BORED easily.  Doing things over and over and over and over maybe weird to some, but not to me.  I still play pacman or tetris like I just learned how to the play the game.  So that’s it, just sharing some discoveries I found about myself.  Hope I could quality for the semis or even win the tournament, fingers crossed.

My New Watch

CASIO G-SHOCK G-001-1CJF

After 5 years, I'm back @ Cebu's highest peak: Osmeña Peak

I cannot recall the reason how we got to know these guys during our first climb at Osmeña, nor can I remember most of them but it was a great experience.

Led Lenser SEO

As advised from an ultrarunner and a certified mountaineer friend, I bought this headlamp that I could use on my future climbs and night runs.  I'm glad it was on sale @ 20 % off and I was able to able to save more than 400php. Go figure. 

Later did I knew, it was very useful also on my bike night rides.  It was worth the price and I'm going to take good care of it (ana jud na basta bag-o pa).  It's been a nice companion so far especially during our Dalaguete-Badian Traverse Climb last August 24.

ALTRA Instinct 1.5

Better late than never.  I was planning to use you during CUC 100K 3nd Leg but you arrived a week late...

CUC 100K Ultramarathon 3rd Leg

BAD OMEN?
Hours before my 2^nd century run, things did not came the way I planned it.  Team Hinanggaw (Me, Henry and Toto) have already planned everything and the assembly time @ Henry’s residence was at  2 PM or earlier.  When me and my wife left home, I knew that we would be just on time to be there but a lot of things went wrong.  First, it was the misaligned chain of my motorcycle  that needs a mechanic to fix it.  I don’t have the tools then and don’t want also to exert effort that may tire me more.  Once it was fixed, we were set to arrived 30 minutes late already I just tried to focused on driving safely.  Just about 5 kilometers or so, I felt that the tires were rolling awkwardly, alas now I had a flat tire.  Oh my, “was it a sign that something not good might happen during the race?,” I uttered.

Team Hinanggaw



1st Olango Island Eco-Adventure Ultramarathon

I joined last July 6's 50K ultramarathon with 2 of my colleagues as our final LSD for CUC 100K 3rd Leg on July 27th.  What was supposedly an LSD became very challenging for me to even finish.  Maybe because I did not have proper long distance runs prior to the event.  Or maybe because I was forcefully pacing with my colleagues which I was not used to. 

  Toto, Henry and Me

liTTle wHitE LiE

I have to share this one, not to shame my kid for lying but to laud him for rationalizing (w/c is not his nature by the way).

We went to SM City Cebu last Sunday to have the kids vaccinated for influenza.  Nearing the clinic I tried to explain to Zyle as calmly as possible that the procedure was needed for his protection.  Immediately and expectedly he rejected the idea.  Since Rina also had her temporary “tooth filling” re-placed, I was the one holding Whammy while Zyle was watching close-by.  Not a bit of complain was heard from Whammy which sets up the mode for Zyle to agree.  Before the nurse/doctor inserted the needle, she halted and asked how old was Zyle (for dosage confirmation).  Zyle, probably thought that if he’d admit that he’s already “5” he would be given a more painful injection, said “3” which draws a big laugh from us.  He lied to save his butt, indeed.

By the way, after the procedure Zyle punctuated the scene with a big “HHUUHHH” and a wide smile in his face, while as if wiping sweat (there was none) from his forehead.  Again, draw another laugh for everyone.

Moalboal Highland Endurance Run: Almost but not quite!!!

After my wife won 2nd place in the 7K women's category last December, I figured that this race will be my time to at least be in the top 10 where a free overnight stay at the Coal Mountain Resort , plus a 500 pesos registration refund with finisher's and winner's medal awaits.