"on a shoestring"

So I am here right now in Bacolod City to cover the Philippine National Games 2011 (PNG) organized by the PSC-POC (Philippine Sports Commission – Philippine Olympic Committee). I believe I’m one of the three bloggers in the more than 30 media personnel and I’m kinda lost of what to do as this is my first time to cover such kind of event.

Event tarp that welcomed me when I arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport

Almost Php30-million budget

What excites me the most is that of learning new things and trying to do live blogging. A perfect practice for my travel adventure in Mindanao on June. Anyway, I attended the presscon yesterday and the only thing I remembered is that they have almost Php30million budget for this. Too big or too small for such an event? I don’t know. But one thing I know these would help our national athletes in showcasing their talents. This is a perfect venue to demonstrate the fruit of their hard works in the gym. This also I want to write during this series.

On the presidential table during the presscon at Grand Regal Hotel: Col. Jeff Tamayo; Hon. Joaquin Loyzaga; Hon. Gillian Akiko Guevara; Hon. Jose Luis Gomez; Hon. Puentevella; Hon. Steve Hontiveros & Mr. Michael Barredo

Younghusbands joined the Fun Run

James and Phil Younghusband getting ready at the starting line

Just this morning, the PNG was kicked-off with a fun run that started at the New Bacolod City Center. I was planning to join the 5K run but woke up 30 minutes late. My bad! Out of frustration, I did a solo 5K run at the Provincial Capitol grounds. Btw, for the Younghusbands fans out there, they joined the run too! But I want to highlight more the para-athletes who joined and finished the event. Way to go guys! You are an inspiration to many.

I think they deserve more cheers and support than the Younghusbands.

For the 26th SEA Games

The National Games is attended by more than 3,000 rising athletes. These competitors will give their best as the results of this will affect our delegation to the upcoming 26th SEA Games in Indonesia come November.  Games are in session at Bacolod City, Bago City, Talisay City and Silay City until May 29, 2011. Among the 36 events are Athletics, Gymnastics, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Wind Surfing, Canoe/Kayak, Cycling and Triathlon.

This series will be exciting!!!

Following are the stories of the events I covered so far:

Fencing: An Underrated Event

Archery: Small But Terrible Gabby Moreno

Canoe/Kayak: Interview with the Gold Medalists

Billiards: Amateurs meet the Masters

Volleyball Girls: Cebu’s Unexpected Victory Over La Salle Bacolod

Gymnastics: The Next Football?

Official Results:

Philippine National Games Official Results (May 27)

Philippine National Games Official Results (May 26)

Philippine National Games Official Results (May 22-25)

You can also check the Official PNG website for updates and results.

**Photos of the Younghusbands and the para-athletes are lifted from PSC Facebook Page.

____ ____ ____

Philippine National Games 2011 Series is a break from my usual running event posts. The series will highlight stories behind every sports represented as well as athletes who display big potential in their own field. My gratitude goes to PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez, Sir Lito Cinco and Ms. Mylene Conception for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!

Q: What’s the worse thing after not being able to run because of injury maybe?

A: Waking up late for the race, especially if you flew 300kms just to run.

I videoed myself when I was about to finish my 5K run.

Still, out of frustration of not being able to wake up for the Philippine Olympic Committee Fun Run (they said that more than 1,000 joined this earlier this morning), I did my own run around the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol. So the title, I did not raced today but still I ran.

I started at L’ Fisher where I am staying and find my way to the Provincial Lagoon. I did 4 rounds on the lagoon and then another 4 laps on the Provincial Capitol Square (South Capitol Rd. – Lacson St. – North Capitol St – Gatuslao St – S. Capitol).

4 loops on each blue-colored rectangle

Good thing is that I’m not alone running because a lot of people also do there morning runs here. Some do aerobics and stretching while others just enjoy the morning sunshine.

Provincial Capitol Lagoon where most joggers do their morning jog

KM.0 of Negros Occidental

Running out-of-town really amps me so even if I was struggling during the first 2 kilometers I did continue and endorphins just went all over my nerves from Km.2 onwards. if not for the heat, I would have added more miles, parang bitin kasi.

Running Statistics:

Date: May 22, 2011 (Sunday)
Distance covered: 5K
Expenses: Php10 (bottled water)
Running Surface: Paved road
Time: 35 minutes, including stops for photo ops (Pace 6:59/km)
Temperature: about 26°C or 78°F
Running Apparel: Pink Nike singlet, Craft running shorts and cycling shorts
Shoes: Red VFF Sprint

Ohhhhh yes, I want to do this more often.

If you want to read more of my out-of-town runs, you can check my running places. Thank you!

Meanwhile, do visit the blog today until the 30th for my coverage of the PHILIPPINE NATIONAL GAMES 2011 organized by Philippine Olympic Commission – Philippine Sports Commission (POC-PSC).

TV5 invites all active and sports-minded Filipinos to participate in the much-awaited AKTV Run this June 5 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City. The Kapatid network will introduce AKTV, the new primetime sports block that will become the home of sports and active lifestyle programs on IBC channel 13.

AKTV Run will give loyal Kapatid followers a preview of what to expect from AKTV, which caters to Filipinos sports enthusiasts, health buffs as well as people who enjoy an active lifestyle.

AKTV Run features a race in four categories: 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K. TV5 has partnered with RunRio, the country’s leading race organizer, in mounting the event. The early morning race program will be hosted by Manu Sandejas and Chiqui Roa, hosts of the TV5 Saturday sports profile show Astig.

Participants and their families can enjoy a fun fair after the race at the Mall of Asia grounds. There will be sports tents where people can watch and participate in demonstrations and instructional coaching for billiards, boxing, basketball and mixed-martial arts. There will be photo booths of various TV5 shows like Bagets, Iskul Bukol and Bangis. Kids can enjoy booths from Cartoon Network, Disney and Batibot. Food and Beverage booths will also be made available to everyone.

Interested participants can register online at www.interaksyon.com/aktv. Regular in-store registration will run from May 5-22 at the following sports and running stores: Runnr (Bonifacio High Street, Taguig), ROX (Bonifacio High Street), Toby’s (SM Mall of Asia), Planet Sports (Glorietta, Makati City), The Athelete’s Foot (Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa and Robinsons Galleria), and at Planet Sports (Trinoma, Quezon City).

For more details about AKTV Run, log on to the TV5 news portal www.interaksyon.com/aktv.

For those joining the 21K, you will be rewarded with a unique finisher’s medal and shirt.

Photo courtesy of Ms. KulitRunner

Online Registration and all the details of the run (registration areas, fees, map, singlet & updates) can be seen at

http://www.interaksyon.com/aktv

So you have ran with Piolo at the Timex Run, Derek during the Century Tuna Run and Sam during the Blue Water Day Spa. Now its KC Concepcion’s time! And what better way to spend your Sunday morning by supporting the UN World Food Program‘s (UN-WPF) END THE HUNGER: WALK THE WORLD Run/Walk event this May 29.

WHAT: END HUNGER-WALK THE WORLD (Take a step towards ending hunger with WFP National Ambassador Against Hunger KC Concepcion)

WHERE: SM Mall of Asia, IMAX Parking lot

WHEN: May 29, 2011, Sunday, 5:00-10:00AM

Do You Know?

Hunger and malnutrition are the biggest threats to global health worldwide, and are responsible for a third of all deaths in children under the age of five in the developing world.

This year, thousands of people around the globe are preparing to join WFP and its major corporate partners, TNT, Unilever and DSM, in a walk to raise awareness and money to feed hungry children in some of the poorest countries in the world on May 29, Sunday.

WFP and its partners are passionate about taking action on this important issue and believe that everyone can help by joining Walk the World Pilipinas as a step towards ending hunger.

This will help 80,000 children in Mindanao

This year’s Walk the World, which is set to be bigger than the previous years, is open to walkers and runners who are passionate about fighting hunger.  In addition to the traditional 2-km walk, there will be a 5-km run for enthusiasts, both male and female, and a competitive 10-km group run. Proceeds from the event will support approximately 80,000 school children in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Join Walk the World Pilipinas today (www.walktheworld-pilipinas.org) – together we can end hunger.

It costs WFP just 10 pesos to provide a nutritious meal to a child at school.  School feeding programmes also give parents an extra incentive to keep their children in school, and help to lay a healthy foundation for a better future for the young.

What If I Can’t Come on May 29?

If you can’t join the walk in person, you can still get involved at http://wfp.org/walktheworld  with photos, videos and donations.

For more information please contact:

WFP- Angeli Mendoza (+632 750 2561 local 2420; angeli.mendoza@wfp.org)
TNT- Rachelle Neri (+632 551 0918 loc. 349; +639178339704; rachelle.neri@tnt.com)
Unilever- Liza Vengco (+632 588-7342; +639175612434; liza.vengco@unilever.com)

I love trail running and I believe its a must for every runner to experience the thrill of running on the trails. My first race experience was last year’s Merrell Adventure Race where I ran 15K. As I said in the race review it was PUNISHING & HARDCORE (and I LOVE IT)!

So on its second year, the Merrell Adventure Run again leads us through dirt roads, flowing streams, river crossing, rock scrambling, and uphill & downhill trails in a new but equally challenging & breathtaking race course at Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal.

MERRELL ADVENTURE RUN

Date: June 18, 2011 (Saturday)
Time: Assembly is at 5:00am for all categories.

Race starts at 5:40 am (21K), 5:50 am (10K), and 6:00am (5K).
Race Distances: 5K, 10K, 21K
Race Organizer: Thumbie Remigio

Race Singlet:

AWARDS & RACE RESULTS

§  Prizes will also be raffled-off during the program. The Race Bib number automatically qualifies each runner for the RAFFLE DRAW.

§  FINISHER’S MEDALS will be given after the race to the Top 20 finishers of 5K, Top 20 finishers of 10K, and all runners of 21K who finish the course before the 9:00am final cut-off time for all categories.

§  CERTIFICATES will be sent through email within two weeks after the race date to those who finish the course in their specific categories.

§  RACE RESULTS will be posted on Takbo.ph and the Merrell Philippines fan page.

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT:

Trail running shoes, Hydration pack/Bottle belt, Cap, Gloves, Running gaiters and Energy bar or gel, especially for the 21K runners.

REGISTRATION:

Download the MAR registration form from http://www.flickr.com/photos/62719183@N07/5709093152/ or get it at selected Merrell concept shops. Submit filled-out registration form with your fee from May 14 to June 14, 2011 at the MERRELL CONCEPT SHOPS listed below. Race Kits can be claimed June 1, 2011 onwards.

Registration Areas (Merrell Stores)

MARKET MARKET G/F Space 23-24 Phase 8 Gaisano Market Market Taguig City. Tel. no. (02) 836-1560

TRINOMA Space 2128 M2 Quezon City. Tel. No. (02) 915-0197

FESTIVAL MALL 2/F Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Tel. No. (02) 659-3284

MARQUEE MALL Nepo Ave. Angeles City, Pampanga. Tel. no (045) 304-0654

Registration Fees: (Inclusive of Race Kit and Race Singlet)

P500 – 5K / P650 – 10K / P800 – 21K

Contact Person:

Thumbie Remigio

Email: thumbieremigio@yahoo.com / Mobile no. +632-915-687-2380 / Landline no. 02-9329071