Wednesday, October 10, 2012

It all started a few years back, when the sport of running came to a renaissance age here in our country. It steadily began every month where an increasing number of fun runs happened and it undoubtedly fast became well-known by many regardless of social class, age, and gender.  

Where ever we went, hoards of runners trained tirelessly every day for major fun run events during the weekends because to these runners, their personal best or beating someone else's record time is an important part of being part of these events.  Businesses made a killing over introducing and improving timing systems to help runners gauge their performance in the events they join better and more efficiently.  

As they participate in one fun run after another, many inevitably realized they needed to graduate to other forms of running events or move to a more challenging category.  The most elementary of which was to step in to farther distances, or more enduring physical requirements like joining half to full marathons. Many, on the other hand also started to explore becoming a part of team relays, and there were also a few who consider themselves new elites, joining in on multi-sport categories such as--duathlons and triathlons. 

There are those however, who find ironically, solace and a firm sense of accomplishment by branching out to adventure, trail, all-terrain & obstacles racing where only a real elite few can belong to and safely say, they can successfully pursue.

This month, on October 21, 2012...The time of Brave Mudders will begin! 
The next big 'wave' in the sport of running is here, where one doesn't simply run and accomplish the course the usual way.  Here, one is required to jump, climb, crawl, duck, carry, help, but more importantly enjoy the time with teammates or alone, to complete the all-terrain and obstacle-loaded course of the race. 

The challenges are no easy task, but they are all certainly fun-filled and exciting to try and complete! 

Nine obstacles for the 5km individual and 10km individual categories are set, and one bonus challenge for the 5km team category that everyone will surely enjoy at the final stretch of their race.

Our friends from ABS-CBN's Studio 23, co-presented by Ayala Land's Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, who will be providing the venue--the event is expected to be a huge success with thousands of 'Brave Mudders' expected to conquer this race on the date at the latter's estate. 

The event's debut this month is themed 'Be A HERO. Brave the Mud.' where the country's HERO Foundation Philippines is its beneficiary.  

Every participant joining automatically donates PhP50 to the organization, helping children of fallen or fully incapacitated soldiers of our Armed Forces of the Philippines--the true heroes of our dear mother land, who have sacrificed their time and personal safety in order to keep all threats--foreign or domestic, at bay.


Registration is still on-going until October 14, Sunday at select Chris Sports branches--SM City North The Annex, SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, Ayala Glorietta 3, Festival Mall, Filinvest, SM Sta. Rosa, SM City Dasmarinas Cavite. Also available in Fitness & Athletics Bonifacio Global City, and in Crossfit Manila branches--Libis near Eastwood, and Taguig in the Phil. Army Gymnasium compound along Bayani Road.

October 21, the day when the Brave become Heroes. Join today!!! 

For more information, check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/bravemudders, or follow them on Twitter for quick updates: http://www.twitter.com/brave_mudders or browse their website for a more complete set of information about the race day (http://www.bravemudders.com) 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Bulk up on a budget with Bioedge

It has officially been four non-working days here in Manila and it has given many of us the chance to do the extra-curricular activities we have been wanting to do, but left only to our imaginations to be fulfilled. 

Many have chosen to go out of town, and savor each and every minute of this extra long holiday with friends and family members there. Some of us have decided to go on 'staycation' to get plenty of much-needed rest and relaxation, or experience what the metro has to offer without the hassles of heavy pedestrian and automobile traffic while going around. And yes, I am one of these few who decided to stay BUT to go back to the nearby gym and log in some indoor fitness and conditioning activities.

IT FELT REALLY GOOD to be back and start getting myself back in shape.  Many of my peers who are regularly into fitness and conditioning suggest taking a form of supplement that will depend on what your goal is.

For someone like me who is aiming to bulk up, the folks suggest that I take Whey Protein to get bigger faster.  I must admit that I often get lazy going back to the gym with my heavy schedule but once in a while, I try. This said, I also must admit that I do not like to waste my money on expensive protein products that will just go to waste once I purchase because of non-consumption.  

Luckily, I chanced upon this product at Health & Beyond Glorietta 4, Makati that is sold in a smaller package--a per serving package, which is perfect as a trial protein product. Agree?

Sold at 3 packs for PhP150, jackpot for a guy like me looking to bulk up, but on a budget and not really eager jumping on to commit to just one brand even if it comes highly recommended by a friend or a nutrition expert. 

Perfect for trying out its taste, and effectiveness. But this is just me ok? 

So after hitting the gym, I prepared one serving--just half a pack in one glass of cold water. As a personal touch, I added a scoop of sugar and Swiss Miss Chocolate and Marshmallows for more flavor and 'the good stuff'.  

Bottoms up!

The result? It was delicious at the very least, its efficacy I cannot say yet but I will keep you posted in my next article on nutrition...

I bought my BioEdge, Whey Isolate Protein. Chocolate Flavor at Health & Beyond Glorietta 4.


Monday, August 20, 2012

ALL-FILIPINO MMA WARRIORS READY FOR WAR IN LEGEND FC 10!








Full Contact International (FCI) held their debut press briefing over lunch at Howzat Sports Bar today, August 20, to present their all-Filipino mixed martial arts team competing in this Friday's Legend Fighting Championship in Asiaworld Expo in Hong Kong.  

Legend Fighting Championship or more popularly known as Legend FC, sets itself apart from the other 
MMA event promotions companies in the region by allowing only native contestants from the Asia Pacific to compete.  The company's approach in devoting their efforts to native fighters offers an equal platform for the MMA fighters to stand out and be recognized as top warriors of Asia Pacific and this is one of the main reasons why FCI has aligned well with Legend FC and their mission.

"Legend FC treats our fighters well and they provide a great platform for Filipino MMA fighters to be discovered by a larger fan base outside of their native country, and have a chance to shine on an international scale with an equal chance as the others, where they are watched by a billion people in China alone and over 300 million viewers around the world!" says Ed Dames

From L-R: Ed Dames Managing Director of FCI, Ruel Catalan, Leonard Delarmino, Rolando Gabriel Dy and coach Rene Catalan.
Wushu specialist Ruel Catalan, the younger brother of 4x world wushu champion Rene Catalan, is certainly ready to step out of his brother's shadows and make his Legend FC debut. His preparation has made him  win various national Muaythai and wushu tournaments highlighted by the 2008 World Wushu (Sanshou) Championship where he won the bronze medal. 

Grappling expert Rolando Gabriel Dy is also set to make his debut in this prestigious event.  Son of former WBC Junior Lightweight champion Rolando "The Bad Boy of Dadiangas" Navarette, lived a troubled life as a young man and was going the path of his infamous father after he retired from boxing with underground fights and bar brawls as his way of self-expression until he found Jesus and martial arts through FCI.  Gabriel chose not to be associated with his father so he chose to carry the name of his mom who is now based in Spain. With heavy hands and explosive punches because of his pedigree, Gabriel is sure to excite the thousands in attendance in Hong Kong. 

Joining Gabriel and Ruel is returning Muaythai fighter Leonard Delarmino.  A natural born athlete with outstanding records in track and field and Tae Kwon Do in his high school days, winning the National Amateur Boxing Championship in 2008, then transitioned to Wushu and Muay Thai and naturally progressing to the competitive combat sport of mixed martial arts.  Despite his losses in his previous appearances in Legend FC, he won the hearts of many fans in the region with his never-say-die attitude and ferocious attacking style.  

"Ang masasabi ko lang po ay ibibigay ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya sa laban sa August 24, at sisiguraduhin ko na maganda ang aking maipapakita." says Leonard. 

"...ipaghihiganti ko si Leonard. Kahit malakas ang kalaban ko, babawiin ko ang titolo sa kanya mula sa huling laban nila ni Leonard." says Ruel Catalan when asked about what he thinks he can deliver.  His promise of avenging Leonard from his loss against Ji Xian amused the crowds, and saw this confidence as the young Ruel's strength.

Joined by Ed Dames and FCI warriors is Brian Sebial (center) and Blaise Diga (right)


Friday, August 12, 2011

Stretch First!


Stumbled over this new Hong Kong-based sports company called Stretch First at the NBA Fit setup in SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last saturday.

I'm posting this for all you athletes and sports enthusiasts out there.
I gotta say that this seems worth trying, and according to the NBA folks i chatted with that day, the coaches who were here with Eric Spo, felt different when they tried Stretch First--they hated to say it, but limber is the best way to describe it according to them. They felt good as if their whole body circulation hit the reset button and went a better way.

Check it out guys. I'm posting their contact details.



Thursday, August 11, 2011

Smart and PLDT All Star Weekend


I once read in a Mario Puzo book how powerful money can be especially when used for the appropriate purpose. "Money is magic" written in one of his books to directly quote, but I've never truly realized what this saying really meant until a week before Smart and PLDT's All Star Basketball Weekend.


Kobe Bryant went straight to China after finishing up on his Manila visit as part of his Asian tour. Kobe fans, and basketball fans in general were still in awe because of his visit at the Fort Bonifacio High Street and Araneta Coliseum. Residual talks here and there could not be avoided, a natural effect Kobe has on with his fans. It was inevitable, where ever I went, the topic always seemed to pop up, "awesome event they had in Araneta!" "I was in High Street for Kobe's promotion in front of Nike, were you there?". Little did we all know that something more explosive was being cooked up. A bigger fish was being fried.

A few days after Kobe left, speculations about another tour, this time having more NBA superstar players present, spread. And yes, it was true. According to various sources, a quick and easy negotiation happened--and it helped that an NBA lockout was announced, for several superstars to make an appearance here in Manila for a weekend scrimmage against the local association's all stars, and the Smart Gilas national team.

Derrick Fisher, James Harden, Javale Mcgee, Tyreke Evans, and headliners Chris Paul aka CP3, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and once again, Kobe Bryant were in freight to have Manila basketball fans held in excitement that, as I put it, was even in levels never seen before in this territory.

It was simply priceless. The mere fact that the people behind the show was able to make a basketball superstar turn around and say hey, 'go back and have a game, we need you down there, oh and bring your buddies with you.' is just absolutely incredible and simply sends that message that they have the power to do it. So i go back to the saying "money is magic".

Incredible isn't it?



MOA Arena: Literally changing the landscape

Have you been to the Mall of Asia complex recently? Well you should.

A mammoth of a building is fast getting closer to being finished and it is something that sports fans, not just here in the Philippines, but even from neighboring Asian countries, will start looking forward to. The news is real. SM is now venturing in the stadium business and they're in it to win it, no doubt.

The Mall of Asia Arena is fast taking shape already and it is no longer a secret what it's going to look like. A gigantic eye resting on an equally huge platform obviously signifies what kind of a stadium the MOA Arena is going to be when it's fully finished. It looks mighty powerful. An eye that's roaring when it goes operational. The people behind this is sure out there to make a statement and truly complete SM's legacy and business empire.

Speculations have already electrified the public, exciting them with news that the MOA Arena has shaken things up and created a viable venue for top caliber entertainment and sports events.
But in my opinion, these are more than speculations as more and more articles and similar blogs have been out in circulation talking about HUGE sports events happening next year. When I say huge sports events, i mean only the biggest. Events that I never even dreamed of seeing here in Manila.

But until then, I guess we'll never really know how serious these people are in bringing these things on to the table for all us sports fans here in Manila. As much as I'd like to be optimistic about it, I wanna see it in close action before I'm pleased with the whole eye-dea.

In the coming months, we'll see if SM and Mall of Asia are doing this in the name of sports entertainment.


Tuesday, January 4, 2011