MCLE Lecture Series 2010, PCU-UTOPIA

Continuing Legal Education is required of members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to ensure that throughout their career, they keep abreast with law and jurisprudence, maintain the ethics of the profession and enhance the standards of the practice of law (Bar Matter No. 850).

In line with this, the Philippine Christian University College of Law (PCU), in cooperation with the Fraternal order of Utopia launches the PCU-UTOPIA MCLE Lecture Series 2010. Lectures on Legal Ethics, Trial and Pre-Trial Skills, Updates in Substantive Laws and other MCLE Subjects are available for the third compliance period.

The lecture series schedule is as follows:

March 8, 9, 10, 15, 17 and 22 at 8am to 6pm

Venue of the lectures is at the PCU Auditorium, Taft. Ave. cor. Pedro Gil St., Manila.

Open to all lawyers. Credit units equivalent to the required 36 hour full course is available for only Php 10,000. For registration details, contact Ms. Lolit Dado at 5265109.

Where in the world?

Where in the world would you like to run?

I’m not exactly referring to organized races like the SG or NY Marathons but destinations where you can leisurely tour and explore the place – running. Note however that in this list of mine are destination races that can probably give the sensory fix I am looking for.

After a short run last night I felt the need to find other running routes. The usual race venues, i.e. BHS, UP, Roxas Blvd., MOA seem to have lost their appeal to me.
The streets of Metro Manila are neither pedestrian nor runner-friendly. We have very few parks and open spaces. What we have an abundance of are airconditioned malls that are like partitioned shoeboxes.

Now, if I were to go on tour, here are the top ten cities or places out of the country that I would like to visit and explore with a good pair of running shoes.

It’s just wishful thinking.

1. Paris, France

The first time E and I arrived in Paris there was a half mary. After a month, the night before we left, there was a full marathon. Talk about missed chances.

I wonder how it feels to pound on cobble stone streets.

2. Rome, Italy

Rolling hills, the Forum ruins, the Vatican City, pizza, pasta and gelato, what more can you ask for? I may have been a Roman statesman in my past life because I will never get enough of Rome.

I know I’m coming back!

3. New York, Chicago, Boston USA

NY is “a must” according to TBR. And I agree to that. Who doesn’t want to experience running in the Big Apple?

Chicago and Boston have qualifying standards. Assuming I meet them, it’s a go for these two races.

4. Egypt

(Photo by Richard Nowitz, travel.nationalgeographic.com)

5. Africa

I am sure the Big Five Marathon is an adventure that will truly be unforgettable. This year, runners who will join can even hit two birds with one stone: the Big Five Marathon and the FIFA 2010 World Cup set in South Africa.

The Big Five Marathon® in South Africa is to be held among the wildlife of the African savannah. Runners from all over the world will meet in one of the most spectacular “Big Five” game reserves in Africa. In these magnificent surroundings, one can combine exciting game drives with a challenging marathon route going right through the habitat of the most famous African game: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. No fences, no rivers, nothing at all separates the runners from the African wildlife.In 2010 you can combine running The Big Five Marathon with watching the FIFA World Cup in football/soccer also taking place in South Africa starting June 11th.

Big Five Marathon in South Africa starting line.

6. Australia or New Zealand

Think Lord of the Rings. Cross country running like Aragorn, Legolas and the Hobbits.

Think the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor.

7. China

There’s also a Great Wall Marathon that’s definitely in my “to do” list.

8. Brazil

9. Moscow, Russia

The Red Square. (russian.arizona.edu/russia.jpg)

10. Greece

Meditereanean sun and sea in Santorini, Greece. Hill work and steps.

Of course there should be a visit to Athens. In honor of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, who is said to have ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the defeat of the Persians.

A long run where it all began should be very interesting.

Other places in my list would be:

11. London, England

12. Barcelona, Spain

13. Japan

14. Cuba

15. Marrakesh, Morocco

Globe Run For Home ’10

How would you like to experience running around the Makati Central Business District without the traffic?

How would you like to run and get your Facebook page updated automatically?

How would you like to run and be seen on Flippish.com?

How would you like to run and help build homes for the poor and homeless?

If your answers to the above-questions are all “YES” then you should join the Globe Run For Home 2010!

Register online here.

For more details on this run visit Kulitrunner’s blog.

The Gap

One of the things that you would not want to happen in a race without timing chips.

Featuring: TBR and Jolon

10K for the Tuna, 15K for the Kidneys

Today, I ran the first leg of the Run Rio Trilogy which is the Century Tuna Superbods Run 2010. I was registered in the 21k event but I decided to just do a quick 10K. It has just been two weeks since the Condura Marathon and a week after the TNF Thrill of the Trail in Nuvali. I think I deserved to take it “easy”.

I heard that there were about 11,000 registered runners for the Century run so I anticipated terrible traffic in the parking areas, the starting area and the finish line. I arrived in time for the 21K gun start but waited in the car until they call out the 10k runners. I noticed that the race setup was like no other race I have joined in the past. It felt like I was in a rock concert or festival.  The hitech digital video screen at the Start/Finish arch was awesome. The festive mood was just overwhelming. Rio and his crew have done it again!

Finished the 10K with an unofficial time of 58:09.

Just look at crowd!

By the big (balloon) can of tuna with Jaymie and Vimz.

With the Century Superbods Run winner Ed Buenavista.

After the race we proceeded to Paul Calvin’s Deli for breakfast and a presentation for the Amazing Kidney Race. Fellow runner, Dr. Dingdong Biruar gave a short talk on the role of the kidneys in running, athletic performance and wellness.

Here are some interesting facts about kidneys I picked up during the talk:

• kidneys  process about 180 liters of blood everyday.
• it sifts out about 1.5-2 liters of waste products and water and this becomes urine.
• kidneys get rid of excess waste products and excess water.
• they help keep some of the chemicals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorous in the blood to a healthy level.

The Amazing Kidney Race is set on March 7, 2010 in UP Diliman. It is an activity in connection with World Kidney Day. The latter is celebrated annually around the world to promote awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated problems worldwide. The theme for this year is: Protect your kidneys: control diabetes.

From L to R: Atty. Jolon, me, Miguel, Jaymie, Bobby, Vima, Edward, Christy, Jay, Dingdong, Mariel, Jun, and Vener.

Hitched: Love and Joms

Good friend Love Añover and fiancée Jomar Lianko got married today at the Holy Spirit Parish in BF, Quezon City.

Congratulations!

Love and Jom’s bike support was key to my first marathon finish. See previous entry on my first time here.

They finished the marathon also.

The Bridal Car with Love and Jom’s mountain bikes with yellow and white ribbons.

Mr. Jomar and Mrs. Lovella Lianko.

Bon Vivant

More than ten years have passed and the little booth that serves fried rice in a box is still there.

My favorites would be their “Babes in the Sea-ty” and the “A-ali Aligue”. “Babes” is a mix of pork, shrimp, kani and some oyster sauce. “AA” is your crab fat fried rice.

When I took the bar exam, Utopia billeted us in the Diamond Hotel in Roxas Boulevard. Hence my food order every Saturday night before the Sunday exams would include fried rice from Bon Vivant.

My runner still complains to me to this day that he scoured the whole mall to find a restaurant called Bon Vivant. What he found out later on was that it was just a small 3 square meter booth at the 4th floor of Robinson’s Place Manila.

TBR Bull Circle Packs R.O.X.

The TBR Bull Circle, the first of a series of talks for runners and participants of the TBR Dream Marathon packed R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street last night as Jaymie Pizarro a.k.a. The Bull Runner talked about her first marathon experience and how she dreams of helping others achieve their goal of finishing their first full marathon.

Jaymie talks about her first time – marathon. “You never forget your first time.”

Mixed emotions filled the atmosphere.

The “Executive”: Hector Yuson of Second Wind behind bars with Mayen and other TBR Dream Marathoners.

SPEAKERS:

• Susan Lafferty – Susan has spoken at numerous first timer events and panels around the world.  She has run 25 marathons, including Boston (PR of 3:47) and 2 Comrades Marathon, one of the world’s top ultramarathons which covers 89km in South Africa.  She is a 44 year old mother of 5 and is the wife of TBR Dream Marathon Race Director, Jim Lafferty.
• Neville Manaois – Neville is the team principal of Pinoy Ultra Runners and co-owner of Secondwind Running Store. He brings with him years of experience as a long distance runner.
• Anton Diaz – Anton has been running since 2007. His first marathon-for-a-cause was in July 2007 guided by the P&G Runner’s Circle and its coach then, Coach Jim Lafferty.  Anton hopes to run his second marathon this year. He is behind one of the Philippines’ top blogs: Our Awesome Planet.

(From the TBR Blog)

Jaymie also introduced her “Dream Team” or the people behind the TBR Dream Marathon.

(From L to R) Edward Kho, Course Manager, will handle the marshals, volunteers and support staff. TBR holding up the Dream Marathon poster. Next to TBR is me. I take care of Legal and Special Concerns. Beside me is Neville Manaois, Technical Consultant. Not in the photo is Race Director, Jim Lafferty.

Flipped out at the TNF Thrill of the Trail Run 2010

It’s my first trail run for the year. Since I just ran a 42k last week I decided to sign up for the 11k trail event and take it “easy”. The TNF run coincides with Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year so I wore red for luck and love. Cheesy!

We left early to catch a light breakfast on the road. The weather that morning was pleasant and a bit breezy. Perfect time to test the little Flip camcorder Marga and I got for Run Radio. I knew it would be a challenge to carry a gadget like that even if it was small because conditions on the trail can be unpredictable. Slips, sprains or falls can easily happen if I wasn’t too careful. I got out unscathed thankfully. But I almost lost the Flip when I paused to take the sand and stones in my socks and shoes after the river crossing. I dashed from the water station immediately leaving the Flip behind! I was a bit far from the place when I remembered so I had to rush back. Silly and stupid.

I don’t regret bringing the camcorder though because I got some shots of the trail, the river and the finish. Beats writing the little details of the race. Now you can see what happened from my point of view. I just hope you don’t mind the bouncing. It was tough to keep the camera steady with my pace.

Note: The video clips were raw not edited, except for the splicing and the music.

Team Run Radio: Dingdong, Bards, Marga and Luis

The TNF Starting Line at the Nuvali Solenad Area

Post race with Edward, Bards, Jaymie and Dingdong

Poetic photo by Edward

TNF Thrill of the Trail 2010

See you on Sunday. It’s going to be a double celebration: Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year!

Here’s what you should expect from Race Director, Neville Manaois of Pinoy Ultrarunners: