Run Until Your Lungs Give Out

Since I'm on a climbing break, I gave running another try.

Merrell Adventure Run (June 2012)

Placed 6th - 5k Women's Category

3rd Trek the Tec (2 weeks after Merrell Run)

First vertical run in the Philippines

Climbed almost 2, 065 steps

Finished the race in 26 minutes

Kalatungan

My latest attempt to climb the top nine (or ten if Mt. Ragang is climb-able (?)) highest peaks in the Philippines.

What: Mt. Kalatungan (sixth highest mountain in the Philippines)
Where: Pangantucan, Bukidnon
Elevation: 2824 masl
Trekking time: 5-6 hours to summit

At Brgy. Mendis jumpoff

The clouded summit of Mt. Kalatungan

Hunter's campsite

At the summit of Mt. Wiji, Mt. Kalatungan summit in the backgound

Mt. Kalatungan for Holy Week 2012

My photo from the summit of Mt. Kalatungan in Pangantucan, Bukidnon. More pictures and stories in the next blog entry. Too bad there was no clearing on the day we climbed the peak but at least another mountain was crossed out from the top ten list.

I Conquered my Own Seven Summits

After almost months, I finally completed my entry for The North Face contest called "Conquer your Own Seven Summits." TNF came up with this contest after Filipino mountaineer Romi Garduce successfully climbed the top seven summits in the world. 

The seven summits of the world are Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.)in 2002; South America’s Mt. Aconcagua (22,841 ft.) in 2005; world’s highest, Asia’s Mt. Everest (29,035 ft.) in 2006; Europe’s Mt. Elbrus (18,510 ft.) in 2007; North America’s Mt. McKinley (20,320 ft.) in 2008, and Oceania’s Carstensz Pyramid (16,024 ft.) in 2011.

The rules of the game:

1. Do seven minor or major climbs in the Philippines.
2. Wear any TNF apparel during the climb.
3. Bring your TNF banner and have your photo taken at the summit of the mountain.
4. Submit your entry on or before March 4, 2012.

Lucky winner will walk away with TNF gift certificate worth Php100,000. Winner will be selected via raffle.

Mt. Banahaw de Tayabas

Mt. Batulao

Mt. Kalisungan

Mt. Maculot

Mt. Pico de Loro

Mt. Pulag

Mt. Talamitam

Eargasm

This track is on repeat:

What You Need

The Weeknd

My Christmas

I took this photo from our yard...

 And decided to make a drawing out of it...

Merry Christmas!

The Clichés of Break Ups

The love you gave is not equal to the love you received.

Expectations are like poisons.

There will be lapses in the decisions made (which should not be acknowledged).

More time devoted staring into an empty space.

Old self slowly creeps back.

The endless what-ifs.

Alcohol-bingeing.

Too many FML moments.

Mt. Mantalingajan Photo Dump

What: Mt. Mantalinganjan Climb
When: Oct 29-31, 2011
Where: Puerto Princesa - Brgy. Ransang - Brgy. Rizal
Who: HAMOC members (Pat, Ro, Karlo), Sandugo (Greg) and Palaweños (Mayo and Jasper)
Why: We wanted challenges!

We reached the summit (2035MASL) after 1 day (we rested for the night) and 8 hours of trek.

Training Weekend Before Mt. Mantalingajan

A week before our climb to Mt. Mantalingajan in Palawan, our team dedicated one whole weekend for our last training climb. We decided to complete the Nasugbu Trilogy - Pico Traverse, Mt. Talimitam and Mt. Batulao. Here are a few selected photos from the climb.

 

The beak of Pico de Loro

Can't help but laugh at this photo. We were out of focus.

After the traverse in Pico, we had to walk this long road to the nearest house and rent a tricycle

The trek to Mt. Talamitam

And on Sunday, I did two circuits in Mt. Batulao 

We leave tomorrow for Palawan. Let's do this!

My Friend Marries Freedom

Arianne was my friend since grade school. Yesterday, she married her long time boyfriend, Kalayaan (Filipino word for freedom). I was one of the readers during the mass and got this cool photo of them making funny faces during the wedding.

My Kada!

These boys were doing the 'Dougie dance' while the wedding ceremony is taking place.

The wedding happened in the Parish inside University of the Santo Tomas ---where Arianne and Kalayaan studied college, met and became lovers.

Each guest received a potted artificial plant with picture of the couple.

My look for the wedding. I got the dress for only...Php 150! 

My Itinerary

1. Buy clothes for friend's wedding
2. Go to Batulao for training
3. Attend Kali and Arianne’s wedding
4. Train in Batulao (again)
5. Do Maktrav
6. Get diploma
7. Drink at Kambingan (with my good old friends from UPLB)
8. Visit San Lazaro for prescription for anti-malaria
9. Climb at Batulao (last and final training)
10. Fly to Palawan to conquer Mt. Mantalingajan

Yeah. This is life.

Smiles, Tears and Memories

My Lola took her last breath last Friday at around 10 in the evening.

I fondly remember the time when I gave you a haircut in the balcony since your hair was too long but your hip injury restricted you to go out of the house. It was fun experimenting what cut to do to your white hair.

And how funny when I was in high school, you say sexy stars are "parang nagtitindi ng p*kp*k nila" or when we, the grandchildren, talks back to you and you tell us "na parang kakainin mo ako ng buhay".

I’ll miss your honesty and cooking. I hope you find peace with Lolo in heaven.

My Photo Needs 'Hearts'

Hey!

I need a little help. Please 'Heart' my photo for Like Creativity Love Sony Photo Contest.

Go to this link, and click the 'Heart' button.

The more hearts I get, the bigger chance I win the prizes.

Thank you. :)

Bits-es in Boracay

Taking a bite of Boracay island's famous Chori burger.

The heart marks the spot.

The ride to Kalibo cost Php125 / person. This sticker served as the ID.

The boat ride

Drink-all-you-can cocktails at Obama Grill

Kao Pad (Bagoong Rice) for lunch at Smoke (strips of green mangoes are missing)

My favorite photo of Bits