Christmas in Cambodia

4:30AM (Siem Reap time), December 25, 2009. Christmas Morning.

The idea was to get front row seats to the daybreak spectacle that is the Angkor Wat sunrise. Considered one of the world’s largest religious structures, the Angkor Wat welcomes millions  of tourists every year. December, especially during the holiday break, is considered high season.

The area of the temple was pitch black when we got there. There are no lampposts whatsoever. We had to navigate our way with torches.

The experience of waiting for the sun to rise behind the peaks of the towers attracts a motley crew of tourists. As it was Christmas Day, we thought most everyone would still be asleep and hung over from the late-night partying at Pub Street. We thought wrong.

Thankfully, our skillful guide ensured we were at the temple grounds before 5am. We secured precious spots right by the bank of the pool, where one can clearly see the five towers’ silhouette.

Seats may be rented for a dollar each but come with your choice of coffee, tea or hot choco. Steaming hot local coffee erased our sleepiness and made us even more giddy with excitement.

By half past five, sun chasers from all over were all over.  Asians (possibly Japanese) with their packed breakfast got the better seats. Most of the fair-skinned tourists arrived later and had to make do with taking photos from the side angles. Everybody was armed with a digital cameras, a number even had impressive tripods.

Needless to say, it was not a silent wait. But it wasn’t noisy either.  The towers amidst the stars were a calming sight. Each one was soon lost in their own thoughts, reflecting. Regardless of religion being there was indeed nothing short of a spiritual experience.  This perhaps is what the Angkor Wat sunrise is all about.

The temple represents the spatial universe. The central tower is Mt. Meru with surrounding smaller peaks. The lower courtyards represent the continents and the moat represents the oceans.  On both sides of each Causeway leading to the main temple structure is a seven-headed naga or a snake figure being pulled by gods and demons in a tug-of-war. This represents the bridge for man to reach the abode of the gods.

Conquer Corregidor Race Results Out

Race results for the Conquer Corregidor 10-Miler is now out! Conquer Corregidor

There were 750 runners who participated in the race but only 489 names were listed with finishing times. According to the race organizers, the list contains the names of those who met the official 3-hour cut-off time from gun start.

Tranvias were deployed at around 11:45AM to “rescue” those who had a hard time with the course. Those who took the advantage of the “rescue ride” were allowed to finish the race but their names were not recorded.

For all those who are interested to get the cool souvenir shirt you may still get them at Second Wind, Ortigas Home Depot or R.O.X. Hurry, there are limited stocks left!

402	009	Martelino, Raymund	Run Radio	30	M			0	2:33.06
403	522	Cruz, Bobby		0	M			0	2:33.06
404	409	Moraleda, Mayen		24	F			S	2:33.10

Esquinita

“I am Wesley Gibson. I can curve bullets, fight with knives and I have Angelina Jolie as a girlfriend. I am the perfect weapon. I say kill ’em all and let fate sort out all the mess.”

Not. This is me on our couch watching “Wanted” on HBO on a Sunday.

I wish this was true though. Instead of a telephoto lens on my camera, I would prefer a Barrett .50 caliber M82A1 SASR (Special Applications Scoped Rifle).

This is because of the noise coming from the strip of bars across our building, Esquinita. Just when you think you could relax, this happens. Bands play crappy music sets over and over again. They have terrible song selections, their guitars are out of tune and their off-key vocals are fugly. This we have to endure everyday.

It escapes me that the barangay has not done anything about this. Countless complaints have been filed i’ve heard. Heck, there was even an episode in GMA-7’s Imbestigador done on this place.

Aside from the ruckus Esquinita makes is the fact that bar fights are a common occurence. Drunk teenage, college, wanna-be cool types riot over mundane things.

Something has to be done about this. But moving is out of the question. Calling the QC LGU! Time for a decibel level ordinance!

The view from our bedroom window. Bands galore at noon time.

I don’t think they’d make it. Vocals are off-key. But maybe because the guitar isn’t tuned also.

Martial law should find application in this place. The bands sound rebellious and revolting.

Conquered Corregidor (Again)

Pre-race preparations include a quick dip in the Corregidor Inn pool and a snack at their restaurant. That was the time I had a “Mr. Bean” moment when my ferry boat boarding pass was swept away by the cool breeze coming from the sea. Marga tried to dash after it but it was nowhere to be found. Good thing we had extra! 😉 We spent the rest of the day munching on churros with hot chocolate instead of going with the tour groups.

Several overnighters joined the Malinta Tunnel evening tour and sunset viewing. Those who joined got the chance to go inside some of the tunnel laterals in pitch black darkness. PKE meters and Proton Packs were optional. I on the other hand had a Hackintosh notebook with me so I spent the rest of the day playing Plants vs. Zombies! It was quite a chore getting to sleep because of the diesel-powered air conditioner we had in the room that revved up its transmission every 30 seconds or so. Good thing the Michael Jackson zombie and his minions ate my brain just before it was too late.

Just got on the island. Photo op by the race tarp with Reylyne, Sweeney and Marga.

The starting area was at the entrance of Malinta Tunnel. Though we were informed that the race would start at 7AM, the gun didn’t fire until around 8:30AM. We had to wait for the other participants who availed of the day-trip option to arrive from the docks.

Waiting at the Malinta with Marga, Mayen and Bobby.

The organizers decided to increase the level of difficulty by making participants go up the steep hill by the Coast Guard detachment twice, on the first mile and again during the last mile. Just when I thought that we could go for a strong finish after a run-walk-take photos-walk-run-take more photos-walk-run routine, the race marshall signaled for us to go up the first hill and go through the trail. I spoke too soon there.

Participants had to go through the cold, dark tunnel and go through race course above. Edward Kho said: “It will be a walk in the park.” And indeed it was! Most participants had to walk in an island-park instead of running the whole 10 mile. It was a nice scenic running tour of the island from the Malinta Tunnel to Topside and back down to the beach side.

I had no intention of doing this event for a PR nor did I attempt running on a race pace. This is because the inclines really take its toll on the legs and knees. My gameplan was to enjoy the sights and appreciate the scenery on a leisurely run.

I have returned.

And I will still return. Maybe for another running tour or for some other sporting event on the Rock.

Events like this should be more often to promote eco-tourism, sports and health. I know for a fact that logistics is a nightmare as transporting more than 750 people to an island is no easy task. But all the effort and perhaps risks paid off. Good work Edward and JP! I’m looking forward to more of your events, running or non-running related.

Middleside Barracks. Frequent stops had to be taken for snapshots of the ruins and batteries.

*Thanks to Bobby for the photos.

Conquer Corregidor – Packing Light

Still have a baptism to attend but I’ve already packed my gear for Corregidor.

Been feeling like crap inside for a few days now so I hope the short trip will help alleviate the pain.

Here’s the Rainman’s packing list:

1) Salomon XT Wings

2) Shorts

3) Jersey

4) Board Shorts

5) Walking Shorts

6) 4 Shirts

7) Leica D-Lux 3 Camera, Table-top tripod

8 ) Ipod

9) Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

10) Towel, Toiletries

11) Sanuk

12) Asus EEEPC Notebook

I have doubts as to whether I can run the whole course easily considering that my knees hurt a bit during last week’s New Balance 21k. Mckinley Hill is a flatland compared to the steep inclines of Corregidor!

I’m seriously contemplating on doing a light “run-trek-run-take photos-trek-run-take more photos-trek-run” routine.

Good luck to all 750 runners in Corregidor.

I also wish all Filipino runners participating in the Singapore Marathon a good run!