My First VSO Run (Part 4)

In the midst of the excitement in meeting the runner bloggers, I saw Philip from afar and we both called out our names, at the same time! Finally, the day that we've been expecting have finally come.

With Philip, Wilbert and Wayne.

With Vimz and the wacky Happy Feet Group!

One last pose with Philip and the Happy Feet runners.

With the very "delicious" Doc Doray and Wayne.

Again, with Doc Doray and now, with Roselle!

With Jaymie--my mentor, idol and inspiration. Without her, this blog wouldn't even come to exist.

With that, I end this four-part series of My First VSO Run: A Dream Come True.

For the other runner bloggers that I haven't met last Nov. 9, 2008--hope to see you all in future races!

My First VSO Run (Part 3)

(I'm sorry this came quite late. It was my father's 84th and my daughter's 9th birthdays yesterday. Everything has to be put on hold)


I'd like to think that I was running too fast that Jenny had trouble putting my image in the middle of this picture (that's me in the orange cap) heh heh . . . Nauna pa nga ako sa macho gwapitong naka Team Navy sa likod!



Taken right after the race. First time to be given a sports drink after crossing the finish line. Parang trophy ang dating sa akin, after conquering that hilly route!

After drinking my precious Rush, I planned to go back to the area before the finish line to shoot pictures of runner bloggers and much to my surprise, my fairy godmother again whisked her magic wand and there appeared right in front of me, Gigi and her adorable son Sky! It was truly, a magical moment for me. She was with her friend Jaimie but unfortunately, my official photographer failed to capture a pose with her. Maybe next time.

When I arrived at the entrance of the finish line, Bro J and Baby were also there. Sir Jovie came dashing in and we called out his name which he acknowledged by waving his hand. I took a shot of his enigmatic "finish look" but sadly, it turned out blank (still have to practice more with this digital camera. I had no problem before with the conventional camera).

Accepting the painful reality that I couldn't get decent shots of bloggers while they were running, I decided to wait at the exit of the finish line instead. On the way back I met my cousin Jun, holding his finisher's certificate. He advised me to get mine and I did.

With Jun and our future recruits: Jenny and Bembet with her 2 sons Bikoy & Paulo.

Then I looked around and saw more runner bloggers!

Top and below: With Vener and his wife Cristy, Joe the loonyrunner with his famous backpack and Dennis.

With Jinoe, the brains behind TAKBO.ph.

The two love-birds of 11 solid years: Jinoe and Que!

With Jesse, Tanya and a friend.

Oh, my! Tanya and I look like mother and daughter . . . Could she be my long lost daughter?

To be continued . . .

My First VSO Run (Part 2)

(Part 2 of My First VSO Run: A Dream Come True)


Then I told them I still haven't seen Jaymie. I don't remember anymore who informed me that Jaymie was just standing right behind me!

Like a fairy godmother whisking her magic wand, I turned around and there was Jaymie, together with Jay, the Honorable Doc Doray and JunC!

Two weeks ago I was in a room filled with Kapuso stars and I must admit I was thrilled.

But the excitement in finally meeting the runner bloggers is beyond comparison.

I felt like a teenager again in close encounter with my first love!

We had a lively chat (thank you Jay for the very kind words) and though I still wanted to stay and share more stories, the emcee started to count, signalling the start of the 15k race. I said good luck to all of them and made my way out of the pack. I was almost tempted to run the 15k just to spend more time with you guys but I'm glad I didn't.

I tried to look for my cousin Jun but he was nowhere to be found (I found out later that he positioned himself at the front row). Thank God I again saw Baby, Bro. J's swthrt. I desperately needed someone I know to run with me for the first kilometer.

I wasn't prepared for a hilly route. The KOTR was almost flat from start to finish. No sweat. This time, I almost gave up, for I already felt the soreness in my legs. I told myself I will just try to finish the race, no matter what the time. The most important thing is, I'll finish it without any injury.

And by God's grace, I did it!

But when I woke up this morning, my whole body is in pain. I remember the Triathlon Ad on TV:

"The human body is not made for this kind of sport. But the SPIRIT is!"

Watch out for Part 3 . . .

My First VSO Run: A Dream Come True

When I registered for the VSO Run last Oct. 14, the singlet was not yet available. When I claimed it at ROX 5 days before the race, I was ecstatic to see Coach Rio there who gladly pose for this commemorative picture.

Jenny and I arrived at the Fort before 5AM. Unfortunately, no runner blogger in sight.






After almost losing hope to see any runner blogger, Bro J with his 'new' hair & darling Baby suddenly appeared! He told me that Wayne & the other runner bloggers were already inside the assembly area.







I dragged Jenny (my official photographer for this race) inside the 15k starting area to look for the runner bloggers. It wasn't difficult to see Wayne, standing tall amidst the pool of runners.
I approached him and he immediately recognized me! I couldn't believe I finally met the SFrunner! We exchanged kisses and then posed with the runner bloggers who were around him. It was almost a dream that I found myself surrounded with these gorgeous guys: Taki, Wilbert, Joe, Dindo and Glenn.

















To be continued . . .

A Prayer for Jaymie's Father

Join me in prayer for Johnny Crisostomo, the father of Jaymie (The Bull Runner) who passed away last week:

"O Lord, we commend to you the soul of your servant, Juanito Crisostomo, that, having departed from this world, he may live with you. By the grace of your merciful love wash away the sins that in human frailty he has committed in the conduct of his life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him."

Interment is scheduled on Nov. 5, 2008. For more info, you may Call Arlington Sta. Mesa at telephone # 715-1026.

My First OctobeRUN

Oct. 26, 2008: I was on stage with Ate Ella and my cousin Junjun Muego. It was a once-a-lifetime event, where the three of us received our medals for finishing first in our respective age categories:

1. My 63-year-old aunt Ate Ella for the 60 and above group
2. my cousin Jun for the 30-39 age category
3. myself for the 50-59 age group

It was a thrilling experience for us and the whole de Ala clan, having won all at the same.

Then out of nowhere we heard this alarming sound.

I was jolted out of my pleasant sleep by the alarm of my cellphone. It was then that I realized I was only dreaming. And sadly, it would remain that way--only a dream.

It was 4:00 AM. I should be hitting the showers then eat banana, drink water, grab my running bag and leave for the Fort with Ate Ella. But this wouldn't be the picture on this particular day.

Instead, I caressingly whispered my daughter's name to wake her up then gave her Tempra Forte and Immunosin for her fever and chicken pox.

I was all set to join my first OctobeRUN but had to miss it because of my special "special child".

For all the runner bloggers who patiently searched for me before, during and after the race--I am truly very sorry.

Hope to see you all in the VSO Run this Nov. 9!

Christmas in October with Kapuso Stars

I woke up early this morning but not to run or play tennis.

Yesterday, I was advised by the DSAPI (Down Syndrome Association of the Phils. Inc.) to bring Eia to GMA-7. She was picked as one of the 25 children with DS to participate in a special shooting with some Kapuso stars.

Naturally, I was thrilled to the bone. It would be a whole new experience for my daughter (plus the fact that I'll get the chance to rub elbows with some TV personalities heh heh . . . ).

Eia's not used to eating breakfast early so we just dropped by McDo's Drive Thru and ordered 1 pc. chicken with rice for her. We also ordered fillet-o-fish for Ate Ella and me but unfortunately, it's not yet available. It's good we brought with us Sky Flakes crackers and a cooler filled with 2 cans of Coke Light and 2 Mango Juice. But when lunchtime came, GMA was kind enough to provide sumptuous meal for every parent, caregiver, and child.

I knew passing EDSA was the shorter route but it's been years since I've travelled that far. I couldn't picture in my mind how I can transfer to the left side since we would be at the right side of EDSA, coming from Las Piñas City. I decided to take the longer route instead, via Quiapo.

Then I received a text message from Adette, our DSAPI administrator, that the shooting would be held at the 3rd floor of the new building, the GMA Studio Network. She told me its not along EDSA but on the first street right after GMA. To make a long story short, we made it on time, arriving earlier than the Kapuso stars.



Kuya Glen assisting the kids with their coloring activities while waiting for the Kapuso stars.


That's my daughter Eia grinning at me.







When Dingdong Dantes entered the studio, shrieking mothers rushed unto him dragging their bewildered children for picture taking. I was almost tempted to join the bandwagon but was able to control my overwhelming desire with superhuman strength.
















My daughter Eia had the chance to stay close to Dingdong but chose not to. She's faithful to her "boyfriend" Roger Federer.






Hmmm . . . how come Eia sat beside Wendell Ramos and not with Dingdong Dantes?

Eia with very beautiful faces Yasmien Kurdi, Gelli de Belen and Camille Prats.


On stage during the gift giving of GMA Kapuso bags. At the background is Lovi Poe.



Kyla with Eia above and with me, below. Do you think if I don't stop running my figure will go back to it's former form just like Kyla's??? How I wish!





The GMA loot bag with its contents: When Eia opened her bag and saw what's inside, what she said simply melted my heart--"Wow! So many! I will give Kuya!"












One last picture: Eia curious why the gifts around the giant christmas tree were not distributed among the children. I explained to her that the gifts intended for them were inside the GMA loot bag.