Kayaking Adventure in Caylabne Bay, Cavite

Last May 1, 2013, while most of my outdoor friends went to the usual trail running gigs in the mountains of San Mateo, Rizal, an activity I rarely forego, it was replaced by an invitation I would not afford to miss – Kayaking adventure with my son and with friends at Caylabne Bay. 

Just last week, my friend Arleen Lindo of Chris Sports invited me to learn and experience the basic of kayaking. Together with my son Gab, we cruised the highway of CAVITEX all the way to Caylabne Bay, Marigondon, Naic, Cavite. Because of the new and faster access route to Cavite, our trip just took us less than two hours from Manila. 

At the resort, another blogger showed up, my good friend Paulo Florendo. Together with his wife who also keeps a blog, we were introduced to our host, the father (and mother) of kayaking in the Philippines, no other than the husband and wife Mr. Val and Dindi Camara. I also had the pleasure of meeting another seasoned Kayaking (slash photographer) friend, Mr. Harvey Tapan. Coach Val, shared to me how kayaking was popularized in the Philippines. The sport was brought in the early 80’s that led to the formation of kayaking groups including the Philippine Kayaking Federation, a group that organizes professional competition and kayaking races in the country.

As the sport grew its popularity, the couple decided to devote their time in the leisure kayaking that caters to people who are less-competitive in the sport and just love exploring the vast of the ocean and mangroves in the archipelago. Over several decades, they helped established various affiliates and kayaking groups all over the country. 

Almost in their senior year (but not physically), they are now in the business of making locally manufactured kayaks that cost half the price of imported ones. On that special day, me and my son had the opportunity to try out some of the locally made kayaks in the open sea. 

Before heading out, all of us had to undergo a briefing session and basic orientation on kayaking. I had some “paddling” experience before on a regular boat in the province but not like this one. I discovered that there is really a technique of paddling more efficiently where one can move the kayak faster and with less effort. We were taught the proper way of handling the paddles, how to turn and how to stop. And before we jumped into the kayak, we were also taught how to board in properly so you don’t be out balanced.

My son, Gab was also as ecstatic as I am when we first experienced paddling together. The technique is to do it simultaneously and on a rhythm. The one seated on the back is responsible of controlling the turns of the kayak.

Our first adventure was the mangroves of the Caylabne Bay. We cruised along a long winding river where fresh and salt water are mixed together. The current was very serine where we simply glide through the waters. At one end of the river, we went through a pass where the branches of the mangroves were hanging low and we all need to lay back so we won’t hit by the sharp thorns.

At the first pass, our kayak went through barely. But the second time around when we went back, the tide went a little higher so the thorns became closer. My son and I tried our best to evade them as much as we can, and in the process, made our kayak tipped over and made us fall over. We were the first casualty of the kayaking adventure.

It’s a good thing that the water was just chest high, and we easily recovered and got back on our boat. It was a good thing that Coach Val taught us how to get on the kayak in the case we fall overboard. After several river banks, we had the opportunity to have a short peak of gracing wild migratory ducks. But as the current brought us much closer to them, they flew off just as quickly. I realized that it was something that I need to document. But as I reach for my camera which placed in a sealed plastic, that was the time I realized that it was gone and presumed that it was lost during our short cap-sized experienced back there.

The group tried to go back and tried to find in the area but with no luck, so I decided to tell the group to forget about it. I guess I just have to re-call those picturesque scenes with the ducks in my memory. Luckily, another kayaker in the group Harvey Tapan brought his own camera, so not all were lost after all.

The river kayaking allowed us to practice the navigating techniques coach Val taught us. The second part was how to kayak in the open waters.  Now this one was a bit scary because of the depth of the sea. But this experience is a one in a life time, so head out and conquered our fear.  At least we were comforted that we have life jackets on incase we fall again in the open sea. I noticed that Gab had his confidence as well, because he knows how to swim. 

So the group spent the while afternoon in kayaking in the open sea. We went to the area where the waves were not as big and we can grab each other’s paddle and connect all the kayaks together. We just sat there floating in the middle of the sea and laid back to view the vast clear sky in Nirvana. A wonderful place to rest our soaring arms and sun burns from the whole day of paddling.  

After a few minutes, we kayak back and ride along with the waves that glide us to the shoreline. After bring all the kayaks in their racks, we went back to the resort for some snacks. It was a day of adventure that I hope to be repeated again in the near future. Personally, most of my adventures were confined in the land when I run or bike on the trails, but Kayaking as nother water adventure has proven to have its own thrills and challenges which I vowed to be exposed more in the future.     

Note: All photos are courtesy of Mr. Harvey Tapan

Merrell Adventure Run 2013 @ Mt. Sinai, Pintong Bucaue, San Mateo Rizal. Featuring Brooks PureDrift

Approximately 1,400 plus trail runners swarmed the trails of Barangay Pintong Bucaue, San Mateo Rizal last April 27, 2013. As early as 4:00 am, cars and buses piled up the road almost a kilometer long leading to the starting line. Since this was a new trail route for Merrell Adventure Run 2013, many trail runners  were quite anxious and at the same time excited on how the adventure run would go. 

Just a couple of weeks before the main event I had the opportunity of joining the group of bloggers who made a test-run along with the technical crew of Merrell and of course, the race director of the run, Mr. Thumbie Remigio himself. 

Each of us have described in our blog post of how the trails would look like and described also the difficulty level of the course. The blog posts and pictures somehow made a lot of trail runners to be intrigued by the new challenges they will go up against. Not to mention some surprise obstacles that were not disclosed in our blogs. Those were part of the thrill of excitement that some are left to be discovered as you trail blazed the rouged course of the race.   

The race was traditionally divided into three categories. The 5k are for those who are novice in trail running, 10k are for those are experienced and the 21 kilometers are for the seasoned and highly competitive ones. As expected, the most number of delegations were the 21ks. Many were quite challenged by the new course since it was a one loop course, unlike the one we had in Timberland heights where we had to do two loops of the 10k route. So, all of us were on the same playing field because all of us are new in the trails.  

BROOKS – PURE DRIFT: Testing the trails

Also another new in the Pintong Bucaue trails was the shoes I used, which is the new Brooks Pure Drift. So, basically, the BROOKS PureDrift is designed for road running, more particularly for those who are used to run barefoot or running with minimalist shoes. The shoes is customizable to 4mm heel support if you place the inner sole and it will give a zero-drop heel differential if you take out the inner sole. 

Specs:
Weight: 5.6oz (with inner sole ) 5.4oz (without inner sole)
Color: two-tone yellow nylon mesh construction with black Swede lining support.
Midsole: Blown foam (DNA + BioMoGo)
Outersole: Black tough rubber (Not Vibram)
Feature: NAV Band support

Maximum toe flex

The pure drift is among the lightest minimalist shoes I have ever tried, approximately 4.6oz with inner sole inserted and 4.4oz if you take them out. Personally, since I normally run barefoot on flat pavement, when I run the trails, I prefer shoes which are more closer to the earth as much as possible. 

NAV Band for arch stability

When you run trails, the basic criterion for footwear is the durability, and a lot of trail running shoes in the market today are constructed in such a way that it will endure extreme trail punishment. However, with these tough construction designs, more often than not, compromises weight and comfort. And when running a 21k trails with some additional baggage of water and mud, every ounce of weight in your shoes are felt by your body.

Only 4.6oz for Size 8 (mens)

BROOKS Puredrift, even not designed for the trails, I was able immersed its limitations on the trails last Merrell Adventure Run. At the first kilometer, the trails started on a very steep downhill. For other shoes, these are toe-nail killers. However, the Puredrift with its very wide toe-box, the toes have more space to move around and the front-end of the shoe were hardly felt.

A very steep descent...

The 21k route has several river traversing. With some of the light-weight trail shoes, in order to have a good drainage system, the outer-mesh constructions are much wider so that it will release water much quicker. But the trade-off with this design, the wider mesh will allow sand and small pebbles inside the shoes as well that would make running very uncomfortable over time. So, right after river crossing at Wawa River, many runners would sit down on the river banks and clean the debris in their shoes. 

Wawa River

The Puredrift has tight net-like mesh construction screen that prevented sand and small stones to get in. Amazingly, it didn’t hold much water either after several river traversing. It’s  a good thing also that the road was very dry that day and made my shoes hold on the dirt quite well. Another highlight of this shoes is the outer sole. It is not Vibram, which are more common in trail running shoes. It was a combination of tough rubber and blown foam slugs. The Black rubber slugs are placed in the mid or the blade part of the shoes all the way to the fore-foot area including the big toe. It’s a good thing that Brooks have thought of this design well, because for barefoot runners, those are the areas where shock load and pressure normally land. While the blown foam are on the heel and arch area. 

Yellow Slugs are made of Blown Foam and black Slugs are made of tough rubber

When I use trail shoes with Vibram soles, my difficulty is when I cross rivers. Vibram, noted for its toughness and durability on rugged trails, can’t seem to have a good hold on wet molded rocks. For me, I think that’s the only weakness of Vibram. Brooks PureDrift on the other hand hugs the wet rocks well because of the softer blown foam slugs that contours on the texture of the rocks. The down side is, blown foam may not withstand trail punishment much longer than Vibram.  

After the long river traversing experience, the rest of the course are all up hill, 10 kilometers long. On the 17th kilometer mark, a surprise obstacle welcomed all the runners. All of us were to cross a field of muddy rice field with knee-deep high. Some stopped and removed their shoes, but many just jumped in and battled with the thick sticky mud. As expected, after taking several steps, most of these runners left their shoes in the bottom of the mud. Their shoes simply couldn't carry the load of mud that was stuck to it. For some, who pulled them off the mud, the soles practically extracted from the shoes. That was the worst thing that can happen to shoes, most especially if you still have four more kilometers of rough uphill trails conquer. After the crossing the rice filed, I’m glad that my shoes stayed with my feet all throughout the crossing. I was kind of worried at that I might tear them apart, but luckily it didn't. 

The last kilometer was practically mountain hiking to the top. The 21k runner entered a narrow trail on the side of the giant tablet of the Ten Commandments. I finished the 21k at 4 hours flat, much longer than my previous MAR last year. This year’s was a tough one but I conquered it in one piece and so does my Brooks PureDrift. Not designed for the trails, but made it through with very minor damages. 

Energizer Run: On its Third Year of Positive Energy

Truly, running is more fun in the Philippines. For the past decade, as more and more people have already jumping into the band wagon of pursuing the active health life style through running, organizers have likewise find more ways to make this simple yet very effective exercise a fun activity.

In the last two years, this running culture in the Philippines has evolved in many forms already from the traditional flat pavement running, to trails coupled with bunch of obstacles all in the purpose of making running a very enjoyable feat. And these innovations have brought more and more people to venture out and extend their physical limitations to these challenges.

In many fun runs, night races have already getting its own follower of runners who find thrill running at night. That’s why on its third year, Energizer will soon stage their fun run at the Bonifacio Global City famous running route on May 4, 2013 and the gun-start will begin after sundown.

Energizer, the leader in battery source products in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation will hosts this year’s Energizer Run to promote positive energy. This is an advocacy campaign to spread awareness about places in our country that doesn’t have electricity. One Million Light Foundation as a co-beneficiaries will identify three thousand house-holds who are still living their lives in “darkness”. This is just a part of a much bigger goal which is to illuminate one million house hold all across the country.

Last April 17, 2013, Energizer hosted a press launch that was attended by various fitness and sports media both traditional and online. Executives from the company shares the objective of the fun run and how people can help spread the advocacy of bringing suitable light to people who still uses kerosene-fed lamps which are harmful to health and are hazardous to safety.

Ms. Joan Mendoza, Brand Manager of Energizer shares that his run will be just one among many night races being staged from different parts of the globe, all to provide a better source of lighting to places where there are still none. In the Philippines, Energizer are set to distribute three thousand solar rechargeable lamps to poor communities where school kids are deprived from a suitable light where they can study at night. 

The Energizer Run, is hoping to target more than 2.000 runners who will challenge themselves running at night. All runners are provided by Energizer head lamps so that they can have a good depth of vision on the road. In the same way it will also give a spectacular view of other runners lighting the road with their own head lamps. 

Registration are still open in RUNNR Stores, BROOKS North Edsa, Toby’s Stores. Visit the website to know the details of the race. www.energizerglobalnightrace.com.

NUVALI’S Dirt Weekend 2013: Setting up World-Class Mountain Bikers

In the International scene, the Philippine mountain biking as a sport is pretty much young compared to other countries in the west. But even as young bikers as we are, Filipino’s never fail to achieve audacious feats and acquire skills that would certainly be at par with anybody else. Mountain biking has been around for several decades and our bike trails all over the country side are noted to be one the best in the world. So with these promising environments, it won’t be long that we will someday dominate the sport. 

Last April 24, 2013, NUVALI, one of the most progressive eco-tourism park and landscape in Sta. Rosa Laguna hosted the press launch of Dirt Weekend 2013. Dirt Weekend, a premier mountain biking event is running on its 4th year. In previous Dirt Weekends, it showcased four different mountain biking disciplines that are being participated by more than 2000 mountain bikers from all over the country. The biking events were Four Cross, 24 hour mounting bike, Trail Mountain biking with Orienteering and Cross Country Race. 

However, this year some events would be slashed-out and will give way to other events that can be participated by not-so-hardcore biking disciplines. These cycling events will encourage more novice bikers, designed to be enjoyed by family members and by those who are just starting to make mountain biking as a leisure sport. 

Another breakthrough of this event is the honor of earning a professional badge in the international cycling community no less than the Switzerland-based world governing body Union Cyclist International (UCI). Participants can be assured that the venue and organizers of this event passes the international standard and podium finishers can be ranked and be qualified to join other international cycling anywhere in the world. The events are also be judged by UCI Official Reps Ms. Beatrice Lawaja of Malaysia and Oscar Rodriguez of the Philippines. 

So this coming April 26 to 28, 2013, Dirt Weekend will anticipate thousands of bikers that will swarm the rugged trails of 1,860 hectare of Ayala Land Development. Among the local groups participating are Bikeworx, Sabak, Potato Corner, Yellow Cab, KTM, John Wilkie, EXO or the Executive Off-Road Cycling Association, Cycline (Mindanao) and Prima Isuzu D-Max. 

Run United 2 2013 Offers new surprises for its Loyal runners

One down, two to go!

Approximately less than two months from now, the Unilab Active Health epic run, Run United 2 2013 will hold its second leg at the of SM Mall of Asia’s popular running circuit. Last March 17, when Run United kicked-off the first leg, there were more than 12,000 people ran covering most of the road traffic of the streets of Sen. Gil Puyat and Macapagal Avenue. But according to its long time run organizing partner Run Rio, they are confident that the second leg would surpass the last one.

Last April 14, 2013, the organizers cooked up something different in the usual press launch that they made in the past. The sponsors together with some friends in the media were treated to three loops of running at the university oval inside UP Diliman and each loop is measured approximately 2.2 kilometers. But prior to that, all of us had a comprehensive warm up session led by the coach himself, Mr. Rio Dela Cruz.

After the very relaxing 6.6k run, another fun event was prepared that really pushed some media runners to their optimum limits of stamina. A handful of volunteers were set in a friendly competition of sprint running with the combination of Burpees exercise. Among the runners who joined, top three were selected being the fastest and was given prizes for the efforts. Surprisingly, I came out third place. 

After the fun and very active event outdoors, we all proceeded inside for the press launch and were served with a filling breakfast that everyone enjoyed. Officers from Unilab even had session on the basic nutritional values that can be found in ENERVON Active multivitamins and how it is different from other sports food supplements. Soon after, coach Rio explained some of the highlights of the RU2 2013 and other exciting surprises that await the runners.

The following are the details of the race…

2013 Run United 2 will be held on June 2, 2013 with Ceelin 500m dash, 10k, 21k and 32k race categories. All categories will have a start and finishline at the SM Mall of Asia.

REGISTRATION VENUES:

Online Registration: April 1 to May 12, 2013
In-Store Registration: April 15 to May 19, 2013
Priority Registration for Run United 1 21k Runners: April 10 – 14, 2013 (only at Riovana BGC)

RIOVANA

• BGC –28th Street corner 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City –Monday to Sunday from 12nn to 8pm
• KATIPUNAN – 3rd Floor Regis Center, Katipunan, QC (infront of ADMU) – Monday to Sunday       from 12nn to 8pm

TOBY'S

• SM Mall of Asia – Monday to Sunday, 12PM to 8PM
• SM North – The Block – Monday to Sunday, 12PM to 8PM

REGISTRATION FEES:

Race Category Registration

Fee Inclusions
Pre-Race Post-Race
500m Php350 Singlet, Race Bib, D-Tag, 10% Race Day Discount on AH Apparel, & Raffle Stub Active Health Ventilation Knapsack Kit, Drinks & Race Analysis

10K Php800

21K Php900 Singlet, Race Bib, D-Tag, 10% Race Day Discount on AH Apparel, & Raffle Stub Active Health Ventilation Knapsack, Finisher’s Medal, Finisher’s Shirt, Drinks & Race Analysis

32K Php1000

ASSEMBLY AND GUN START TIMES:

Race Category Assembly Time Gun Time
500m 6:00am 7:00am
10km 4:30am 5:30am
21km 3:00am 4:00am
32km 2:00am 3:00am

REMINDERS:

• Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, and may end earlier than the announced deadline. Race kits may run out before May 19, 2013.
• Singlet size availability will be on a first come first serve basis.
• Singlet and finishers shirt samples will be available for fitting at the registration centers.
• A timing device (d-tag) will be used by all participants during the race.
• D-tag will be presented when claiming the finishers’ kits – no d-tag, no kit.

RACE DETAILS:

• Race details are available at the following websites: www.unilabactivehealth.com and www.runrio.com.
• Registration Queries: feedback@runrio.com

CONTACT DETAILS:

For In-Store Registration Inquiries:
• Globe – 0927 347 7700
• Smart – 0929 7178164
• Landline – (632) 887 6194

Kuse: An Authentic Filipino Cuisine

KUSE – short for Kusinero, a local town “chef” who cooks for big gatherings like wedding, baptismal and other special occasion to almost everybody in the neighborhood. Every rural town in the country has its local “Kuse” and each kuse in every province has its specialty noted for every it’s expertise. 

The Chef Quarter Group of Restaurants opened the KUSE Traditional Filipino Cuisine last 2009 at Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill to capture the authentic taste and look of the most love Filipino delicacies of every region in the country. These are the food that Filipinos would expect to eat at any weddings or Baptism celebrations cooked at the back of the celebrant’s house in charcoal and wood.

Last week, I was invited to experience the masterful creation of Chef Mau of Chef’s Quarter which surprisingly, was originally from Liliw, Laguna. I discovered also that his dad was used to be the local Kuse of Liliw, and eventually got the inspiration of becoming like one. Along with other food bloggers, we were served some of the specialty and best sellers of the house.

We started our food tasting by trying out a few appetizers. The Mini Ukoy with Visayan Sauce is a crispy fried mixture of taro, shrimp and vegetables. The Ukoy is just one of the usual dish a Filipino family would serve in any given day, but this one was definitely special. A much better version of the one I normally cook at home. 

We also tried their Pork Sisig but take note, it’s the Kapangpangan style. I’ve tasted a lot of sisig in my life and each region has its own version of sisig, but I admit, nothing beats the original style –the Kapangpangan style. 

Another memorable dish that were served was the Salmon skin Chicharon. What makes it special was the crispiness and the vinegar mix for dips. Another food in their menu that many would look forward to is the Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas. For some who are used to eat Sinigang in other styles like Sampalok, or with Gabi, the Sinigang Na Bangus sa Bayabas can be an acquired taste, because it’s not very common. But for some who likes Sinigang like me, this one is definitely a treat.

The Paco (Fern) Salad ng Laguna is one blast-from-the-past experience. A delicacy that’s very common among Laguna, Quezon and Bicol natives. Although each province has its own version, the we had was a much simpler yet very tasteful with just a mixture of good vinegar dressing, onions and tomatoes and that’s it! :)

Of course, these were just among the many delicacies Kuse has to offer its guests who want to taste the best foods served in the local home town where the “kuse” can only give. 

Visit Kuse in the following branches:
• Kuse Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill (Tel. 836-4969)
• Kuse Lucky China Town Mall, Binondo, Manila (Tel. 708-9576)
• Kuse Eton Centris Walk, EDSA, Quezon City (Tel. 709-9817)

The Amazing Pinoy Fun Run: Putting the “Fun” back to Fun Run

The running culture in the Philippines is certainly getting stronger year after year and so does the runners who, just a few years back were running short distances but now running full-marathons. In many running events, it has been very evident that a longer distance category has the most number of delegations.

Apparently, many beginners this year are finding hard to get a good start in running life style simply because many got too intimidated by seasoned runners. That is why; running organizers are now geared to organizing shorter distances to put back the “Fun” in the fun run.

This coming April 27, 2013, a very unusual run organizer will stage the Amazing Pinoy Fun Run at the popular running hub of the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. This band of athletes is most popularly known in a different type of sport which is full-contact rugby. I’m talking about, our very own; the Philippine Volcanoes headed by Andrew Wolf, Chris Everingham and celebrities Jon Avila and Survivor Philippines finalists, Sheena Vera Cruz.

Primarily, the objective of this endeavor is to promote the running to those who are contemplating to start a running as a healthy life style. The running event will feature some other challenges along the course that is fun and unique. These obstacles are moderately challenging so that all runners will enjoy it. As an advocacy, the run will also benefit two foundations namely Filipino Needy Children’s Fund and Clark jets Rugby club, a group of underprivileged youths who are into rugby and are being trained by the Philippine Volcanoes themselves.

Last March 19, 2013, members of the media, both traditional and online were invited to witness the press launching of the Pinoy Amazing Fun Run at the second level of Fitness and Athletics at the Bonifacio Global City. At the press launch, one thing that is very noticeable, is that the Volcanoes were very much hands on in running the event. Much different from the other fun run launch I’ve attended where celebrity ambassadors limited only to answer questions from the press and pose in photo ops. As much as these athletes were the ones running everything, they were also the ones who did the distribution of kits themselves, and even cleaned up the place after the press launch ended. Truly, these athletes are not just modeling sports and healthy life style but a healthy character as well, that everyone should emulate. 

The Amazing Pinoy Fun Run is now open for registration in all Chris Sports outlet in Metro Manila, Fitness & Athletics and ROX. This event is also supported by Golds Gym, Greenwich, Energizer, Chick, The Medical City, Timex, Berocca, Jack City, Jack TV, ETC, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer. For more details, log on to www.amazingpinoyrun.com , like Amazing Pinoy Run 2013 on FaceBook and the Race on Twitter.

But wait, there's more! :)

Trails Unlimited is raffling off three (3) Amazing Pinoy Run race kits, 2k, 5k and 10k respectively. Through an electronic selection via random.org, I'll be picking out three lucky runners who will win either a 2k, 5k or 10k race categories. All you have to do is to like Trails Unlimited Facebook fan page, Amazing Pinoy Run  2013 Facebook fan page, comment as to what category you like to participate in and share this promo to any of your five friends. That's it!

Winners will be announced one week before April 27, 2013.