Runner's Circle

I ask my friend Mister Google to define the word “Circle” for me. And he came up with several sites. So I checked out Mister Wiki and he says, “In mathematics, a circle generally is the set of all points in a plane at a fixed distance from a fixed point. 

A Circle may also refer to a Social circle, a group of socially interconnected people; a Circle pit, a style of dancing associated with ska, punk rock, thrash and heavy metal music. A Circle is a place in Alaska and Montana in the US”.

Moreover, social circles are groups of socially interconnected people. A Social circle is distinguished from a social pyramid in that there are two perspectives that can be used to describe a social circle: the perspective of an individual who is the locus of a particular group of socially interconnected people; and the aggregate perspective of a group of socially interconnected people, such as cohesive blocks.¹

But in Cebu, we have the Runner’s Circle. It’s a group of runners who runs every Wednesday night at the Cebu Business Park. The running clinic includes paced group runs, mini lectures, raffles and freebies. The running clinic is organized by Runnr and this is their way of giving back to the running community.

Jerwin Ngo from Nike

After my painful sundown run, I decided to pass the run last night but brought Mikaela instead and be the PhotoBogdo for last night running clinic.

Last night was the 5th series of the running clinic. Jerwin Ngo, product specialist of Nike Philippines, was the speaker and he talked about… well, shoes!

In his mini lecture, Jerwin shared the importance of choosing the right shoes based on the foot type.  Foot type refers to the differences in foot structure and shape. He emphasized on the pronation of the feet as runners may have neutral pronation, overpronation and supination.

SMS Runners after the run

Last night’s running clinic had a special participation from the SMS or the Samahang Mananakbo ng Smart. Maam Grace Ruperto, Smart’s Trade Marketing Manager, gladly gave her business card and asks if I can send her the photos. SMS runners are great bunch of people. They love the running fever as they donned their official blue singlet… and they simply had fun!

Of course, the Runnr’s Circle will not be complete without the photo-ops. As you can see, it is very evident that this one way to make the runners be quiet – by making smile for a group picture. 

Left photo: Accenture Running Club with Jack and Weng
Right photo: Katol, Rowena and Glen 

So run with us! Catch the Runnr’s Circle Running Clinic at the Ayala Active Zone here in Cebu. Who knows you’ll be like Doc Cecille Milan who won a Polar watch. Hmmm…. Nice!

Regular runners in the Runnr's Circle
TTB Sighting: FunnyBogdo on Ungo Shirt and QueenBogdo on Orange Shirt

Slideshow photos in the PicasaWeb Album: Runnr's Circle

Source: 1wikipedia

Real Men Wear Pink

Yeah yeah! Real men wear pink! I recalled this statement when I was still working in Manila from a friend. I was challenged to wear pink which I don't usually do. But since then I am ashamed to wear pink anymore.

But when you wear pink, it means a lot of things. From a website of gems, it says Pink is the color of universal love. Pink is a quiet color. Lovers of beauty favor pink. A pink carnation means "I will never forget you".  Pink provides feelings of caring, tenderness, self-worth and love, acceptance. Put some pink in your life when you want calm feelings, to neutralize disorder, relaxation, acceptance and contentment. (http://crystal-cure.com/pink.html)

I Can Serve Foundation

But for most of us in the health and wellness community especially in the running sport, Pink may define a more personalized care for a family member or a friend who is a survivor or a victim of the dreaded cancer. Pink is usually associated with the month of October.  October has been declared as the month for International Breast Cancer Awareness and it is at this time of the year when citizens of all walks of life come together to raise awareness for the disease.

Coach Boying pacing
with KingBogdo Dindz

Last year, good friend Boying Milan encouraged me to join the October Pink Run but it was just unfortunate that I can't due to schedule constraints. He ran with his race bib saying "I am running for *Rev. Villagante +". His sister's (Doc Tata) bib says "I am running for my own breasts". Those bib statements really made my day.

This year, I intended to run for the October Pink Run but since I wasn't able to register, I decided to bring Mikaela instead and be a PhotoBogdo for the day.  Today's race was basically an Ungo Day! I can say that not just because Ungo's official color is Pink but because the Ungo Runners wanted to run and serve. Yes! We Run and we Serve!

Today's Pink Run is a testimony that everyone can help fight this dreaded disease by raising more awareness to the community.  Runners all over the world unite as one to fight against cancer. But let’s not just end this with a run or merely wearing pink shirts. Let us continue each day to promote cancer awareness and pledge to help those who need our support.

Ungo Runners running pink and feeling the love...
Richelle and Axl | Wonder Colili and Doc King2x | Dindz and Micke

This day is dedicated not just to my mom but also to those who died and survived because of this disease.  May this day be an epitome of living a great life.  

Ungo Runners willing to Serve

Kudos to all the organizers headed by the Philippine College of Surgeons, Ayala Center Cebu, Rotary Club  of Cebu Fuente, Run for Sight and the Sports and Fitness Enthusiasts (SAFE).

Jump for Life!

Kudos to all Ungo Runners! We shall continue to shine!

More pictures in the PicasaWeb Album: October Pink Run 2010

*My mother, the late Rev. Sally Villagante passed away last March 11, 2008 due to complications brought about by the dreaded breast cancer.  She was a dear mom and we missed her so much till this day.

All geared up for a new PR!

4th Auto Review Run for Road Safety and Courtesy 10 km 01:00 05:58 pace

NEW PR!!! Last time was when I was running for Looney Tunes. But I was challenged when Ken commented that I should have a new PR. So here you go - Sub 1 - clocked at 59:41!

I like the fact that we have our own runners lane. Some roads were flat; and the slight uphill and downhill was just easy for me and Phalangging. Hydration stations were abundant - water and Pocari Sweat. The weather cooperated!

I was all geared up for the run: compression tights by Team Eight, Halo sweatband, rasta music on the go, Ungo shirt to represent Cebu and the VFF Flow for easy running. And of course, pinanindigan ang TytsBogdo!

Location: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila
Date: September 26, 2010

(above post is a repost from dailymile).

Photos courtesy of Mikaela and Mai "Lasinggera" Cruz.

Certified Trail Runner

Yes! I'm already a certified Trail Runner after I finished 2:23:10 in this morning's Thrill of the Trail Bohol sponsored by The North Face. Dailymilers, Ungo, RH and TTB Runners converged as one team as we conquer the trail at E.A.T. Danao in Bohol.

As it was our first, some of us treated it as a fun trail run. We didn't mind about the pace, the covered and remaining distance, the heat, the river crossing, the muddy and slippery rice fields and all things you encounter in a trail run.  Most of us ran 11K while a few ran 22K. 

Our goal this morning was, of course, to finish the race but we actually ended up doing an extensive documentation. I was holding Coleen's camera throughout the race and took pictures of fellow runners while Doc King2x and Adz also had their share of 500 plus images. Master Photographer Estan did his part by  running with us in the first few kilometers and took some shots. He was just wearing sports sandals yet he survived the slippery and muddy trail.

We passed through corn and rice fields, slippery and muddy trails (it rained the night before!) and crossed two rivers. We saw a few Chocolate Hills and took some shots too. We run, walk and fell on our butts, but we never failed to smile whenever there is a camera. We just had fun!

I have prepared for this event. I got my hydration bag, first aid kit, and my VFF Flow Phalangging. I was supposed to wear my VFF on the last stretch of the trail. But I was more challenged by fellow TTB Coleen who took off her shoes and ran with her socks on the cemented after crossing the first river. I followed suit after crossing the second one and we both ran from KM9 to the finish line with our Runnr socks. We raised the Ungo Banner as we cross the finish line.

Our first trail run was indeed one hell of an experience. We reached the finish line with our heads held up high and we are just proud to say that we are already Certified Trail Runners.

Thank you to the Dailymilers, Ungo, RH, Team Yellow Jersey (thank you Manny for the jersey!) and TTB guys for the fun, the laughter and the cheers, the motivations and encouragements, and to The North Face Thrill of the Trail Bohol Event Organizers headed by Race Director Dax Ang for the well-organized race and for the wonderful experience!

Trail Running Virgins No More!

The extensive documentation was made possible the efforts of Doc King2x and Adz, Coleen, Master Photographer Estan Cabigas and Mikaela. Photos are available in this link and check out the other album courtesy of FitandRun.info

Love your Heart

Yeah... it's just one of those Friday nights. I never thought I'd be running again on a Friday night. I used to be with friends and drink and party just like any yuppy out there. But things were different now. As you grow older and wiser, you'll be thinking about your health and be proactive about it.

But last Friday night was a different night for many Ungo Runners as we were motivated by someone who know too much about the heart and all the sense of that word. I am referring to Dr. Alex Junia, a practicing Cardiologist, and has been running for a one good reason: his Heart. Doc Alex started running in 2007 and has 6 marathons in his belt: two in Hongkong, two in Singapore and two Milo marathons.

Doc Alex spoke about listening to our hearts; about how it works and how it also stresses out. Just like the body, the heart will also bug down due to stress-related activities like drinking, smoking and too much work. He encouraged everyone to take a stress test at least once a year. This, he says, can help us monitor the heart condition. He added those who have parents and/or relatives that have heart problems i.e. hypertension, stroke, cardiac arrests, must seek a Cardiologist and see how far can they do strenuous activities. Doc Alex says we need to listen to our bodies. And that we should love your heart.


After the short talk comes the usual stretching before the actual run and of course camwhoring. Last Friday's Ungo Run was also unique with the presence of Trackers from the Cebu City Police Office. Three Trackers escorted the whole duration of the run - one escorting the lead pack, another in the middle and one sweeper. We are very thankful to Mr. Kenneth Casquejo who initiated this saying safety is always a concern for every runner.

Well, actually, I decided not to run last Friday but instead brought Mikaela and took photos of the whole run. Ungo Walkers Coleen, Irene, Richelle, Dexter and me were escorted by the sweeper Tracker from Sunstar till I.T. Park. But since Coleen can't resist the temptation to run, she made a few strides and run a few meters. But Richelle, who also most had a herniated slip disk, decided to take a rest and hop on to the motorcyle with the Tracker.

While most of the Ungo Runners were at the I.T. Park already, were were still doing our brisk walking and occasional runs. We even did the caterpillar run (term coined by Irene)... it's just simply having fun while we run.


Last Friday's run was indeed a unique one and I can say I did learned a lot from the whole experience. The Friday Night Runs may be an ordinary Friday night for me but with there will always be a twist.


So, if you love your heart, come run with us. Join the Ungo Friday Night Run!




**See all the photos thru PicasaWeb here. Alternatively, all photos were sent to Max Limpag. I asked him to upload the photos in the CebuRunning Facebook page. Feel free to tag yourselves there.

Happy 109th Birthday Silliman University

Today, my Alma Mater Silliman University is celebrating its 109th Founders Day. 


It's just sad that Nikia and I will not be able to go home in Dumaguete City to celebrate this year's founders' day. 


Damn! I missed the school. I missed the very laid back atmosphere. I missed walking from my house to the Boulevard. Well, I just missed everything about Silliman and Dumaguete.


Anyhow, last August 22, 20101, the Silliman University Cebu Alumni Association Inc. successfully hosted the Silliman Run 2010 held at the Ayala Terraces. It was a reunion of fellow Cebu-based Sillimanians. Nikia and I ran 10K in this race.


Consequently, the Alumni group also sponsored the Silliman Dinner For A Cause held at Wang Shan Lo Restaurant at the Crown Regency Tower Hotel along Jones Avenue in Cebu City. It was a night filled with friendship, camaraderie and music. 


Guests include Judge Candelario V. Gonzalez (Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees); Judge Cresencio Tan and Atty. Mik Maxino who is current Dean of the College of Law. Ate Inday Maxino who is currently the Director of the Alumni Affairs also graced the night and welcomed all Cebu-based Alumni. 

It was a reunion of friends from Silliman Univerity. My good friend Natasha Cang was one of the invited guests. She was crowned Miss Silliman in 1994. She graced the night with two beautiful songs. We had a great time talking and sharing those old stories. Imagine, it was 15 years ago when wen last saw each other.I must admit, she is still stunning and beautiful. 

Also, Sir Manoling Saldivar (my very own Physical Education teacher and family friend) was also invited to grace the affair. Sir Manoling was a semi-finalist of the Pilipinas Got Talent last Summer. He actually got three Yeses from the judges when he sang a version of Nessun Dorma by Luciano Pavarotti. (you can check out the youtube video clip here courtesy of my brother jonluigi).


The Silliman University Cebu Alumni Association Inc. is headed by Engr. Siegfred Sia and we thank all its Officers and Board of Directors for supporting all the the activities of the organiztion. The Silliman Run 2010, Dinner for a Cause and Alumni Caravan were surely a success!


For photos of the Dinner for a Cause, please see the picasaweb link and click on the slideshow.


Happy Birthday Silliman!

Ungo Futsal: the game that was never played...

Aherk oi! This is the famous line of Dailymiler and new friend Coleen (aka Coleen Halili). She was the one who invited me to join the Futsal tourney last Tuesday night held at the City Sports Club. Consequently, Dailymiler Agatha also informed me that she will have a practice run at the Abellana tracks.


But I did went to the Futsal tourney anyway and donned my new red Nike football jersey. I met with some Ungo runners slash Futsal players Tito, Irene and the cute kids; Pam? and Coleen (with her blisters!) were there too. Sorry guys, I forgot the names of the others.


Anyhow, the sad thing was that the Ungo Futsal Team were not actually part of the tourney. Apparently, the team wasn't included in the final list of teams competing for the tournament. Aherk oi!


So after a few passes and kicks and so-called practice, we were instantly converted to a cheering team (for Tito's Brothers' Futsal Team). 


See the photos below courtesy of Mikaela. The Ungo Futsal Team decided to do camwhoring rather than playing futsal. :-)

Tito - powered by RH!

The Ungo in Red

Tito's Kid

Tito with his teammates

Well, see you on our Friday Night Runs! Aherk oi!