It was my second attempt in 24-hr race in Nuvali Dirt Weekend and like the previous year, it was fun and challenging. I would like to thank Mountain Bike Philippines Team, Mark Martirez, Marlon del Castillo and Bryan for the support and encouragement to finish the required laps, my biking buddies from Wow Pinay dropped by to cheer us up, Jingle and Arnold Buena, and my fellow racers.
Here is the fruit our effort, we placed 9th and proud
presents
January 15, 2012
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
In-Store Registration: November 28 to January 8, 2011 (12:00nn – 8:00pm)
REGISTRATION VENUES:
Online Registration: November 21, 2011 to January 8, 2012 at www.runrio.com
In-Store Registration: November 28, 2011 to January 8, 2012 (12:00 nn – 8:00 pm)
1. RIOVANNA – 9th Ave corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, 1634
2. Tobys/RUNNR
Level 1 Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Edsa cor. Shaw Blv., Ortigas Center
G/F Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
3. Planet Sports
2/F Trinoma Mall, North Ave., cor. Pagasa, Quezon City
2F Glorietta 3, Makati City
4. The Athelete’s Foot
3/F Robinson’s Galleria, EDSA Cor. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City
2/F Twin Cinema Arcade, Alabang Town Center, Alabang
Check the website http://www.gonatural.com.ph/gonaturalrun/
Mountain biking is one of the hottest sports nowadays, and so to mountain biking races too. As for me, joining races is like challenging yourself, in a competition your greatest competitor is yourself. But, what and how does it take to compete?
Few days before the 1st Philippine Bike Adventure Race, I made something in preparation for the competition. First, I took my bike at the nearest bikeshop to have it assessed and checked. My regular bike mechanic in Tryon told me that my bike is still good for dirt and rough terrain.
Typical stuff I brought at the race were bicycle helmet, hydration bag, water, energy drink and energy gel.
We arrived at 0430 in Clark Freeport Zone, weather seemed not too hot and the heat presence in Clark is just perfect for the race. At the staring area, I was able to see some friends back in Manila and Pampanga.
Sharing some photos of them.
John Wilkie
Cristine Robles
Ging Lucman and Wreachelle Cordova
Nilo Estayo and Bad Boy
Melissa, Biloggirl and Maricar
I had joined races and had traveled places to participate but this race track in PBAR held in Clark, was one of the best trails designed for cross country. Single track was a bit wider than Bonifacio Trails in Mckinley or same as the Camp Aguinaldo Trails in Camp Crame. Track was a bit technical too due to some complicated turns and blind turns but still doable 
There were few sharp inclined climbs that had to bring my bike on top. At the end of each lap, friends were there who supported and cheered us up.
Inside the race track, I heard loud voices from behind, “bike on your left” or “bike passing on your left”. Even we were in a race, and because I am an average moving rider, I let fast riders passed over me as a sign of my good bike behavior. While climbing, I heard Dandan (Team Alterra) from my behind announced himself to pass on my left, made a little move then, a rider from Team KTM named Carlo Gasmen appeared on my right unexpectedly then, we were like a sandwich together. I kept my balance and didn’t stop pedaling to avoid the crash. Carlo didn’t care that there was a person on his left, he was so aggressive to move, he touched my waist, and he pushed me for him to climb. As what I can recall, I shouted, “ang dumi mong maglaro”.
At the finish line, I confronted Carlo Gasmen thru Donjie Dormitorio, who is from KTM Team too.
“A Competition is challenging when all riders respect their competitors and play fair and with all honesty.” Bike accidents, I got many of them and I am afraid no more.
Etiquette doesn’t need to be drafted and paste over the Net, as to bike etiquette, it doesn’t need to be taught, it is just a simple COMMON SENSE. My mountain biking career doesn’t end up here, I love the dirt and still like to race. I am focus and I will see you in Nuvali Dirt Weekend on November 26-27.
Race for Life
November 12, 2011 (Saturday)
Bonifacio Global City
3K/5K/10K/Amazing Race
The fund raising event is for the benefit of I Give to Life Foundation.
Riovana: Sole of Running
Right after the BGC Run launching held at Itallanis at Bonifacio High Street, me and the other bloggers went to Rio’s newly opened store located at 28th Street, corner 9th in Bonifacio High Street called RIOVANA. A running store designed by a runner for the runners.
While looking around and checking what’s inside, I asked Rio what is in Riovana that other running stores don’t have? He replied, aside from shoes and running stuff, there will be a sports doctor to attend runners’ medical needs, shower rooms and spa that will be called “sole searching”. He invited us to attend the so soft opening of Riovana the next day but I was not able to come due to few obligations.
Maybe, I will visit his store next week… by the way, Congrats Coach Rio.
I still remember my first invitation from Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, it was during the BGC Passion Parade sometimes in May this year. It was a parade of sculptures of giant balloons together with sports enthusiasts like bikers, skateboarders, runners and all. One thing, I like about BGC is that my bike is safe and secure when I parked it anywhere within BGC.
This November, BGC came to a different flicks as they introduce running with Flag Football.
Flag Football Belt
Flag Football is a fun game of run and catch, which the purpose is for team (OFFENSE) to cover a full field distance and cross the Football at the “End zone” at opposite end of the field from which the 1st play was initiated.
But wait, these are the prize at stake:
1. A trip for two to Australia on a four (4) days, three (3) nights tour package any time within 2012.
2. Race registration fee to a chosen Australian-based marathon or fun run. Choices may be any of the following: The Sydney City To Surf, 2012 Gold Coast Airport Marathon & Half Marathon, The Great Ocean Road International Marathon.
3. A three-night twin sharing hotel accommodation
4. Prize is convertible to cash but not transferrable to another person.
Run BGC 2011
November 27, 2011
Bonifacio Global City
3K/5K/10K (with Flag Football)
n-Store Registration: October 26, – November 23, 2011 (12:00 nn – 8:00 pm)
Tobys/RUNNR
- Level 1 Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Edsa cor. Shaw Blvd., Ortigas Center.
- Bldg. B3, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
- G/F Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
Planet Sports
- 2/F Trinoma Mall, North Ave., cor. Pagasa, Quezon City
- 2F Glorietta 3, Makati City
The Athelete’s Foot
- 3/F Robinson’s Galleria, EDSA Cor. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City
- 2/F Twin Cinema Arcade, Alabang Town Center, Alabang
MassKara is coined from two words: Mass, which means “many, or multitude,” and Kara, a Spanish word for “face,” thus MassKara is “a mass or multitude of smiling faces.” For Bacolodnons, MassKara is a celebration and expression of thanks for the abundance of blessings life brings them.
We arrived at Bacolod Pavillon Hotel almost late lunch. While having lunch, I went to the reception officer to check the highlight of Masskara Festival in town. After meal, we took a quick bath and went to Araneta St. cor San Sebastian St. to witness the colorful parade of Masskara Festival. Sharing few photos taken from my camera.
My trip to Bacolod was one of my unforgettable trip I had for this year. Others might thought that it was an adventure, but for me it was a notion of fun, excitement and stressing journey ever. I can still recall each episodes from the day we left Manila until the day we returned. These experiences thought me lessons that I could never forget for the rest of my life.
This trip was really planned three (3) months prior Masskara Festival, and our preparations for this trip is far from what is expected, because the original plan was to go to Boracay first, then to Bacolod via bus. Something came up so the plan didn’t push through.
Anyway, to catch up the most awaited festival in Bacolod City and the preparation we had won’t be wasted, we look around for a budget friendly fares. We compared rates between airfares versus seafares by checking on the Internet. Airfares were pricey in time of Masskara so, we chose Super Ferry as it will match our travel expenses. By the way, the journey will last around 20 to 22 hours.
We booked and paid our tickets thru Super Ferry’s customer service agent, he advised us to be at Pier 15, South Harbor at least four (4) hours before departure to avoid delays.
Departure from Manila
I received a text blast from SFTEXT that departure schedule set Manila to Bacolod October 14 at 2215 – SF05K-62 has been moved to October 15 at 0945 – SF05K-62. I verified the details by calling the Super Ferry’s customer service and they confirmed that the trip was delayed due to Typhoon Ramon.
This trip was my first long trip via sea and we wanted to be on time as per advised. We arrived at Pier 15, South Harbor, checked in between 0630 to 0640, and board at 0830 but the vessel ripped off the Pier at exactly 1300. The vessel were three (3) hours late and these were explained by few ship’s crew: (1) The delayed was due to Super Ferry’s turn over of Captain to Negros Navigation, (2) Coast Guard were inspecting the loaded cargo shipments and (3) waited for a top brass officer from Negros Navigation.
However, we are still thankful that the trip going to Bacolod BREDO Port was quite good. Arrived at 1030
Departure from Bacolod
When we arrived in Bacolod City, we are expecting the adjustment of the trip schedule going back to Manila. Then, a text blast sent to my phone from SFTEXT that Bacolod to Manila October 17 at 2015 – SF05K-62 has been moved to October 18 at 0215 – SF05K-62.
October 17, 2340, we asked help from hotel’s bell boy to pack up our things and take us to Bacolod BREDCO Seaport. Checked in at 1215 and while waiting for more than an hour, I asked around why are vessel has not yet arrived, a crew inside the port told me that the vessel is still in Iligan Port. I called Super Ferry Customer Service based in Bacolod – (034) 4354965, a named Johan answered the phone and this conversation freaked me out.
Johan: Good morning Super Ferry!
Biloggirl: Good morning, tanong ko lang po kung anong oras darating yung Super Ferry 5 bound to Manila
Johan: eto po ba yung 0215 ang alis sa Bacolod, sorry po. Hindi pa po kasi darating yung barko kasi nasa Iligan Port pa.
Biloggirl: Ganun ba. Anong oras po darating yung barko?
Johan: Naku, hindi ko po alam
Biloggirl: Hindi mo alam? Bakit hindi mo alam?
Johan: Hindi po talaga namin alam kasi may problema yung barko
Biloggirl: Kung ok na ba yung barko from Iligan Port, ilang oras bago yun makarating ng Bacolod Bredco?
Johan: 13 to 15 hours po
Biloggirl: yun ay kung aandar na diba? Kung hindi, ilang oras pa kami mag-iintay? 24 hours?
Johan: Hindi ko po alam talaga.
Biloggirl: So, sino manghuhula kung anong oras darating ang barko nyo? Ako ba or ikaw?
The conversation I had with the Customer Service Johan blew me up because she can’t tell when or will our vessel be expected in the morning. We have no other choice but returned to Bacolod Pavillion Hotel.
As we returned in the hotel, I asked the reception officer to call Super Ferry every 2 hours to check if our vessel has arrived and call me in my room once they got words from them.
We woke up around 0800 and call Super Ferry once more. They told us that the trip bound to Manila were cancelled and all tickets can be refunded not later than 0900. We rushed up and went separate ways, the two (2) of us went to BREDCO to refund the tickets while I am looking for ticketing agency.
Alternative Plan
Because of the Masskara Festival season, all air flights going to Manila from Bacolod City were booked and sold out. As an alternative plan and advised by a good friend mine, the fastest way to return to Manila is to go to Iloilo City.
I checked on the Internet that, the available air flight schedule that day were Airphil Express – Iloilo Airport to Manila at 19:25 only and luckily, I was able to booked and paid them all on the same day.
We went back to hotel after they were able to refund our tickets from Super Ferry. We checked-out and packed our things again, and went to Bacolod Port for inter-island cruise via Super Cat trip going to Iloilo City. The Super Cat departed Bacolod City at exactly 1215 and we arrived at Iloilo Port at 1335.
I feel relieved when we arrived in Iloilo City. We took a cab, load our things and bike and went to Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan. Arrived in Manila 2030
Aseana, Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City
8PM to Party
Korak!!! Its 8PM to party. Come and join the Halloween Run also known as costume party hosted Adobo Magazine in Adobo Run After Dark 2011. Join the 3k (Costume Run), 5k or 15k races on Saturday, Oct 29 at the Aseana Business Park on Macapagal Highway, near the Mall of Asia. Gunstart starts at 8pm and party will start after your run What are you waiting for, register now!
Race Categories: 15k/5k/3k Costume Run
Assembly Time: 7:00pm
Gunstart:
15K 8:10pm
5K 8:20pm
3K 8:30pm
Registration:
Click HERE to download registration form
Registration fee: P750 (all categories)
Registration Period: extended until 28 October
Manual registration – Oct. 3 to 23, 2011 – Runnr Trinoma, Toby’s Megamall, R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street
On-line registration – Sep 1 to Oct 23, 2011 (delivery of race kits starts on Oct 3, 2011) – www.adoborun.runningmate.ph
Race Registration Inclusions: Race singlet, Runningmate Timing Chip, Bib Number, Finisher’s Certificate, Loot Bag, Party Stub, Finisher’s Medal (for top 500 15k & 5k runners, respectively)
Lady Pacers at Livestrong Day
As one of the lady pacers, it was an honor to be one of the supporters and believers of Livestrong Day 2011 held in BGC, Taguig City last October 2, 2011. We biked around Bonifacio Global City and some streets in Taguig City.
It was an amazing experience to see runners and bikers joined to together not only to enjoy the event but to help the helpless cancer patients by donating small amount for the fight against cancer.
Hoping there will be more Livestrong events next year. Congratulations to Livestrong Philippines, supporters and participants.
More photos at Livestrong Day 2011 Photos by mtb.ph @ Flickr.
