La Salle-Ateneo. 67-67 Overtime Game

The Sea of Greens vs. the Army of Blues...
Go La Salle Go Go La Salle vs. One Big Fight...
La Salle Spelling 3x vs. Blue Eagles Spelling...
The Green Archer Waves vs. the Blue Eagle Waves in the gallery..
The Half Time Face-Off between La Salle Pep Squad vs. the Blue Babble Battalion...
The student, Franz Pumaren vs. The teacher, Norman Black...
Rico Maierhofer, JV Casio, Cholo Villanueva and TY Tang vs. Chris Tiu, Ford Arao, and Jai Reyes squad...

I love La Salle vs. Ateneo games! I've been watching it ever since college days, way back in 1991. I love the drama, the cheers, and the "kantiyawan" before and after the games. I love the sense of pride that comes with supporting your alma matter in good and bad times. I love watching it with fellow alumni and officemates who share the same pride and joy in watching these games.

For me, the game ended at 67-67 Overtime. It was a great Casio-time story that we will never forget. It hurts to admit that we lost 80-77 in Overtime because of Chris Tiu's 3 point shoot. I have to congratulate Norman Black and the Ateneo squad for their first win against La Salle under Norman Black as coach in 3 years. I can still feel the pain caused by text messages, SUSPENDED kantiyawans, and boastful voices of an Atenista. I hate it but Congratulations! Congratulations is also in order for the wonderful half time show by the Blue Babble Battalion and gang. ( I hate writing this post... Arghh...)

We watched together with my IDS team in P&G. Ethel was the only Atenista in our team vs. Joyce / Men and the rest of the La Salle gang. I admire Ethel for seating in the La Salle gallery and good thing, Ateneo won.

Remember, we lost the battle but not the war.... See you in the 2nd Round of La Salle vs. Ateneo.

Animo La Salle!!

Related Posts:
Top 10 Things Why I Love the UAAP & The La Salle Green Archers !
La Salle humbles Ateneo's Basketball Legends and All Stars!

The La Salle PEP Rally! Animo La Salle!!
Ateneo solves La Salle riddle By Reuel Vidal

Technorati Tags: Ateneo, La Salle

I am a Marathoner! I live to tell about it...

Jim, my boss, was right that I will be a totally different person after finishing my first 42km marathon. Now, I know why only a few people, 1/10th of 1% of the world's population, even attempt to run a 42km.  It was incredibly tough but at the same time, fulfilling for me.  We finished last, together with Momer and Jane, at 7 hours and 43 minutes.  I never doubted for a moment that I will finish the Marathon and I was determined to raise enough donations for Kythe (almost >P500 for every kilometer covered). 

The race started at 4.30am and we arrived at the finish line closed to noon time at 34 degrees centrigrade!  It was so hot that during the last 2 kilometers along Roxas Blvd, I was not sweating anymore. Also, we started to walk at the 31km point, so just imagine walking from Kalayaan Flyover --> Buendia --> Roxas Blvd and until the finish line at the Quirino Grandstand. Surprisingly, I did not feel any cramps on race day and the following day, my entire legs didn't really hurt that much.  We had the privilege of running side by side with some of the Ultra-Marathoners who were already on their  >70km mark. They really are super individuals and I admire their courage.  Congratulations Olive for finishing 100km!

Related Posts:
Ultra Marathon Part 1 by Run For Your Life Official Blog Site
Ultra Marathon part 2 by Run For Your Life Official Blog Site
How to do a 100KM Run by UP Mountaineers

After the marathon, I was over dehydrated that I was in a state of electrolyte imbalance and potassium levels were abnormally low. The medical term for this condition is HypoKalemia.  We knew that marathoners die from either HypoNatremia (low sodium levels) or HypoKalemia (low potassium levels) and we were advised to drink a combination of water and gatorade throughout the entire run to avoid this. Unfortunately, due to my lbm sickness several days before the marathon and the scorching heat that morning, I suffered from HypoKalemia.  I was still able to eat lunch but when I went home, slept a bit,  that's when my condition got worse.  Some of the symptoms I experienced was headache, nausea, vomiting, and numbness of the hands (which felt like a stroke).  To stabilize my condition, I ate banana, drank gatorade and an extremely salty campbell mushroom soup but all I did was threw it all up.  That's when I decided to go to ER for precautionary measure. I decided to l et myself be admitted and was at the hospital for two days after the marathon.

Thanks for all the support and pledges for the Blogger's Marathon-For-A-Cause!  My entire family was also there to support me and I felt really special that I don't know how to react to the overwhelming emotions.  I cried as I approach the finish line and boy, I finished my first 42 km Marathon!  Thanks to the P&G Marathon team for waiting for us and for ensuring that the clock and finish sign is up until we crossed it.

For your pledges, I will give you a receipt from Kythe once I turn it over to them.  You can give me your pledges via the following options:

1. Personal EB. We can meet up in Starbucks 6750, Makati any time during next week. You can text me at 0928-558 8500 to coordinate the schedule.

2. Paypal. You can also send the donation via paypal. 

3. BPI. You can deposit your donations via my BPI account. Let me know so that I can email you my account details.

4. For the other bloggers, who joined the Blogger's Marathon-For-A-Cause, let's meet up with Kythe next week and turn over the donations. Thanks so much for all your support!!

Related Posts:
fUll MaRathOn exPeriEnce by Ben M. Chan
The Milo Manila Marathon by the Bull Runner
Pia Cayetano's Blog ( we saw her run past the marines)

Thanks again and I aim to finish my next marathon below 6 hours (at least) !

Sincerely,

My Nike Plus was off calibrated by 2km based on the official Milo Marathon markers.  All the weeks of training paid off, and I conquered my first 42km Milo Marathon!

The last runners at the 25k mark in the Heritage Park. I was pacing with Jane so all of us will be able to finish the marathon. All the P&G runners (more than 30 runners) finished the marathon successfully!

At the 31k point, we decided to walk briskly the entire stretch until the finish line. At this point, the Milo officials decided to open the road for cars and we were on our own.

Our boss, Jim Lafferty, proudly waited for us at the finish line. Momer, Jane and I were sharing an emotional moment because we knew that we will finally cross the 42km finish line.

I was experiencing Joy and Pain at the same time. It was super hot! Thanks to Aidan for supporting me throughout the race! When Aidan saw me, he wanted to join me but since it was hot, they just had to follow us by car. One day we will run a marathon side-by-side.

Anton, beside Nikki (the fastest P&G female runner), Jes Teo (our CFO) and Jim Lafferty (our GM). Thank you Jim for training all of us to finish our first 42km Marathon!! 

Conquering the 31st Milo 42k Marathon

The moment has come...to face one of the biggest personal challenges in my life. I aim to conquer my first 42 kilometers Marathon tomorrow at 4am for the 31st Milo Marathon. The marathon starts in Km. 0 at the Rizal monument, going all the way along Roxas Blvd making a U-turn in NAIA road going to Buendia. From Gil Puyat, the race continues all the way the entire stretch of Buendia crossing over the Kalayaan flyover to the Fort. Then it passes the Fort area passing through Lawton avenue until Heritage Gardens near C-5 which is the 25km point. Hopefully, I will survive on my way back and reach the Quirino grandstand safely at 11am.

I can't imagine how the Ultra-marathoners (see Run For Your Life) will survive running the 100km starting from U.P. at 7pm tonight and also ending in Quirino grandstand in sync with the Milo Marathon for their last 42km. We joined forces together to dedicate our marathon run for a cause to Kythe. Thanks to all the people who sent me their pledges!! Collectively, for every Kilometer I finish, I will be donating P500 to Kythe and I do hope to complete the 42km tomorrow. I actually have a bad stomach since last week and I do hope that the meds would take effect in time for the Marathon tomorrow. There is still time to send me your challenge pledge (via email anton@diaz.ph / text 0928 - 558 8500) (see Blogger's Run For a Kid's Life) and to other blogger-runners who decided to join in the Blogger's Marathon-for-a-cause.

If you have time, please watch and support us tomorrow morning for the 31st Milo 42k Marathon run. If you decide to support, you can give gatorade to the runners or just a simple cheer would do to encourage our spirits to complete the marathon. If not, make sure to avoid the marathon race route tomorrow morning since it will be closed for 7 hours. Thanks for all your support and say hi when you see a fat guy running hopelessly in green milo marathon shirt with P&G logo at the back.

Jim’s Top 10 Tips for Running a Successful Marathon....

Jim’s Top 10 Tips for Running a Successful Marathon

When you ask your body to run 42.2 kilometers, the SMALLEST of details can make the difference between success and failure, or making it a great experience or 6 hours of hell. Here is a listing of the personal discoveries I have had in finishing 18 full marathons, so you can avoid some of the HUGE mistakes I have made in the past:

1. Never wear anything new. No new socks, new t-shirts, shorts. And absolutely, positively, no new shoes or underwear. Everything you wear should be “battle tested” on a long run to ensure it does not irritate your skin or rub you the wrong way. Chafing and rubbing can absolutely stop you from continuing.

2. Start out slow, a lot slower than you feel you can run. Marathoning is a sequence of 2 events of mind/body. The first 30 kilometers you must use your mind to convince your body to SLOW DOWN when it wants to go fast. The final 10 kilometers, you must use your mind to convince your body to SPEED UP when it wants to stop. It is very easy to fall into a trap of going too fast at the start as your adrenaline and energy carry you along. Remember, it is not how you start, but how you finish, that will determine success. Take it easy.

3. Take care of your nipples (Guys—watch out!). NOTHING is more painful than having a sweat soaked shirt rub your nipples raw until they bleed. This will happen over 42.2 kilometers unless you take precautions. Women need to wear a sports bra that they have tested in long runs. Guys should use band-aids or any other bandage to cover. Plus some lubricant on top to make sure.

4. Carry a fanny pack with key aids. There are special running fanny packs that are comfortable and allow you to carry along small items. Despite the best efforts of your friends and family to be along the course for support; and the race organizers to have plenty of aid stations, 99% of the time you will find yourself in need and no one is there to help. I suggest to carry a small amount of toilet paper; lubricant for any chafing/lips; some gel packs for energy; and some money in case you need to buy something enroute. Also a cell phone can help if you are in a large race and will need to locate your family at the finish line.

5. Eat as normal. There is plenty of talk about “carbo loading” and the like. This is fine, but in reality don’t try new foods the day before or the day of the marathon. Eat as you normally would. This kind of running can really wreak havoc on your bowels and stomach, and to add in new foods can often make it worse.

6. Get to the start line at least 45 minutes prior to start. You will need to sort out where to start, ensure you have everything, and also to make a last minute trip to the toilet. Don’t come 5 minutes before when the mad rush is on—get there early and warm up.

7. Mix water and sports drinks during the run. I would not suggest drinking only water or only a sports drink. Mix them and drink a half-cup of each at each aid station. DON’T SKIP OUT ON THE FLUIDS. Take a little at every stop! You are not dehydrated until it is too late to notice. Water is crucial but if this is all you drink, you will feel bloated and will not get all the nutrients you need. Drink only Powerade and you will get all the electrolytes (needed for muscle contraction) but you can get an upset stomach. This is why it is key to mix them.

8. Take walk breaks. Even if only for 30 seconds, this allows your running muscles to rest briefly while you switch focus to the walking muscles. I suggest walking for a few seconds at each water station. Many people, myself included, will say they have run their fastest times when they took small walk breaks every 10 or 15 minutes. This preserves your legs for the final 10 KM, which is when the real marathon begins!

9. Get your sleep 2 days before the race. You won’t sleep too well the night before, so don’t worry about it, and under no circumstances should you take any medication to help you sleep that can make you groggy the next morning. The key is to get a good night sleep 2 days prior. Focus on this night (Friday) and don’t stay out too late.

10. Finally, don’t do anything stressful the final week of the marathon. Too many runners try to get in some final tough runs on the last 7 days, and they enter the marathon with dead legs. There is nothing you can do to get in any better shape in the final 7 days, so don’t even try. The only thing you can gain by over training in the final week is sore legs that will let you down on marathon day. Take it easy, rest up. And on the Saturday before, do NOTHING. No walking, nothing. Lay around the house and watch movies!

Sesame Street LIVE in Manila Presents "Elmo's Coloring Book"

"Sunny day - Sweepin’ the clouds away, On my way to where the air is sweet.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street..."

"Come and play, everything’s A-OK. Friendly neighbors there that’s where we meet
Can you tell me how to get, How to get to Sesame Street..."

Ok, admit it, you are part of the Sesame Street Generation like I am and our childish memories are tickled every time we sing the Sesame Street theme song. When I heard the Sesame Street gang is coming to Manila, I convinced my brother Rommel to treat Aidan (me included) to the live show of Sesame street (to my delight, of course...). Finally, the VEE Corporation, who was licensed by the Children's Television Workshop and Jim Henson Productions, to take the life-size characters on the road, has finally arrived and performed in Manila. ``Sesame Street Live'' debuted in 1980 to clamoring fans of the then-11-year-old ``Sesame Street'' show and after 27 years, we finally get to watch it in a limited 5-day show in Manila.

We had to buy a DVD of the Sesame Street and let Aidan watch it for a few weeks so that he can relate to Elmo, Big Bird and Ernie and Bert tandem. Aidan now belongs to the Backyardigans, Dora and Barney generation but still he was so fascinated with the Sesame Street characters when he saw them live. As I search my childhood memories, I actually can't remember Rosita or Zoe and the only character who was not included in the gang was Snuffalafugus (remember him?).

Photos are from the Official Website: www.sesamestreetlive.com. (Click on each photo to get a description of each Sesame Street characters) My favorite Sesame Street character is Cookie Monster because he was the original foodie. Who is your favorite character?

The show is actually expensive which ranges from P500 (Deluxe Side) all the way to the back of Aliw theater to P1,800 (VIP Center) where you can touch the Sesame Street characters when they go down and interact with the audience. The Friday show was 30% occupied so from the Patron Center, we were able to go down to the VIP section after the half time intermission. The show lasted for 90 minutes only and the second half of the show was when the fun began.

The moral lesson of the story emphasizes on the importance of sharing, diversity and acceptance of others of different colors and even those with no colors at all. It is full of amazing songs, dances and interactive participation with the audience. I was surprised that it was truly a world class show with performers coming from different nationalities. After learning that, I did not complain anymore on how expensive the ticket was. I do hope they come back to perform "When Elmo Grows Up", "Elmo Makes Music" or "Ready for Action".

For those who missed the show, here are snippets of the "Elmo's Coloring Book" show.... BTW, amateur photography is allowed as long as you use a point and shoot camera. Professional photography and videotaping, however, are strictly prohibited without prior written consent from VEE Corporation. So I got harassed a number of times every time I bring out my DSLR camera. I reasoned that I'm still an amateur just equipped with a big camera but the bouncer was still very angry about it.

Elmo's Coloring Book opens with the Sesame Street Gang painting their own pictures on a canvas while singing. The audience role in the show is to help the cast solve a musical mystery and color caper.

Professor Art, a coloring book creator, has arrived on Sesame Street to help them travel into the pictures they have drawn. He is also the audience liaison that interacts with the kids to laugh or react to the Sesame Street characters.

The entire Sesame Street gang with Professor Art and the Palettes are transported into the world of Elmo's Coloring Book.

Professor Art's PAL-ettes (Blue, Yellow, and Red) , a girl group dressed in bright colors and singing a la Supremes.

With Professor Art's Guzzinta 2000 Machine, the audience is transported to magical, historical places. The Guzzinta 2000 Machine is activated by boisterous laughter and it would take all of the kids in the audience to laugh, for it to be activated.

First stop, was the Pyramid of Giza where they met King Tut and Queen Cleopatra. The cast members began to noticed that the colors started disappearing beginning with the gold color in the Egyptian treasure chest.

Next stop was the land of dinosaurs (at this point, I had to stop shooting because the bouncer already treatened to confiscate my camera) and they also noticed the color of the prehistoric flowers disappeared. Then the gang was transported into Oscar's musical junkyard and Oscar's green color began disappearing too.

Here is a cute picture of a color-less Oscar the Grouch.

There were two occasion when the characters went down into the middle aisle to interact with the audience. Since we are on the side, we had a hard time approaching the characters. Here is a blurred shot of the frenzy when the characters went down. I was hoping for the Sesame Street characters to go out of the backstage after the show, but apparently they didn't.

The first part of the show was kinda boring for me but after the 15 minutes intermission, the fun begun. The reason why the colors disappeared in Sesame Street is because of a little white polar bear named Blanche, who has brought the primary colors -- red, blue and yellow -- to the North Pole to add a little color to her life. So Professor Art introduced Blanche to the importance of the primary colors in Sesame Street performed by the different characters.

Here you will see Cookie Monster's bluesy "Fuzzy and Blue" performance.

Next, Elmo and company celebrating the color red as they danced the tango to "Hernando's Hideaway,"

Lastly, Big Bird's salute to yellow with the Yellow Polka danced to "Roll Out the Barrel".

Through amazing songs and dances, the show emphasizes the importance of sharing, diversity and the acceptance of others -- even those with no color at all.

Professor Art and ageless Elmo with the Guzzinta 2000 Machine.

One of the cute characters in the show was Count Von Count Dracula. He captivates the audience every time he dances with Blue PAL-ettes.

Thanks to Uncle Rommel for treating Aidan (and me) to the Sesame Street show. Aidan was totally focused in watching the show and unfazed by the Sesame street characters. I think this was the longest time (90 minutes!) he had really stayed put in his seat. Good job Sesame Street!

Finally, Blanche agreed to give back Oscar the Grouch's green color.

I still kept on thinking who is this character?

Bert, Elmo and polar bear, Blanche with the colorful scarf gift from the Sesame Street gang.

It was fun to watch the performances of the Sesame Street Gang as they sing and dance together on stage. These are muffets and I'm still amazed at how natural they perform the dances given their mask and costumes.

Thanks VEE Corporation and the Sesame Street Gang for the wonderful performance and for making the Filipino kids happy :).

Poppa and Aidan poses for the camera as the Sesame Street Gang performs their final song and dance routine.

Related Posts:
'Elmo's Coloring Book' a crayon-hued delight by Sun (Lowell, MA)
`SESAME STREET' SET TO MAKE T.O. DEBUT.(News) by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
FIVE THINGS: About Elmo. by Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan)
The gang’s all here By Camille R. Magsadia, Manila Times