Category Archives: Bullish Insights

Today, Vicky, one of five of my dearest friends, turns 35. We first met in Prep and then became the best of friends in the 3rd Grade.

– Costume party at Vicky’s house. She’s in a pretty princess outfit. My brothers had the wonderful idea of dressing me up as a…golfer. I’m right beside Vicky –

We grew up together, like sisters, experiencing everything the world had to offer.  We slept over each others’ homes almost every weekend practically all throughout gradeschool through highschool. Over the years, we got chased by dogs and nuns and then boys (yes, in that order) and always managed to laugh about each experience.  We exchanged Nintendo games, diet tips, CDs, exercise tapes (we love you, Jane Fonda!), clothes, and even a boyfriend once (ack!).  You name it, we shared it.

– One of our biggest adventures together: After graduating from highschool, Vicky and I got on a ferry to Iloilo to teach catechism –

Through the years, we’ve been there for each other for every major milestone in our lives: graduation, college entrance results, first jobs, weddings, childrens’ baptism, and our father’s deaths.  When I started running and this blog, I would talk to Vicky about it and, although she didn’t run (she’s a treadmill walker), she showed her support just by listening.

– College 1993 –

Last week, as I was cleaning my Inbox, I realized that I had missed out on tons of email while I was in the U.S.  One of them was a letter from Vicky.  It turns out that she wrote me a pre-NYC marathon letter (just like the way we used to write each other palancas before retreats!)  Even if I failed to read it before New York, it still means the world to me and brought me close to tears. It’s something I can always draw inspiration from when the going gets tough in future marathons.

Here goes:

“Don’t tell me what I can’t do.” – John Locke, TV Series “Lost”

Dear Jaymie,

Well, you’ve certainly come a long long way from running away from an overweight pug, running away from the make believe ghosts of the bathrooms of Assumption, Antipolo, and running away from all the lunatic guys who pursued you in the past.

You are my closest friend, we’ve known each other for more than half our lives, and I would be remiss if I didn’t write you a little something right before what I recall you used to say was your dream when you decided some time back to start running marathons.

As I reflect now on how close you are to achieving yet another one of your greatest dreams, I can’t help but juxtapose how the determination you’ve had to get to where you are is something that the five of us have shown in each of our lives, in each of our own ways, to attain each and every one of our individual dreams.

Our spirits are indomitable.

So as you run the NYC Marathon, this is my wish for you… that all the collective achievements of our group, all the fruits of our perseverance, give you strength and push you all the way to the finish line.

Someday, I’m going to tell my daughter that her mom’s closest friend literally ran toward her dream.

And just kept on running after she reached it.

I am so proud of you.

Vicky

Happy Birthday, Kampups! Love you!

A runner’s Christmas is all about…

…running with people you enjoy being with so much that you wish the run would never end

– after this morning’s run with Jun and Annie –

…hitting the road at 5am when the weather is nippy just to get the chance to wear all the long-sleeved, dri fit running apparel that stays locked in the closet for the most part of the year

…running all you want because the kids are out of school and work has stalled for almost everyone

…trying to squeeze in a run after Simbang Gabi (compression tights under jeans and tank under a jacket!)

…increasing your mileage the week before Christmas to make way for all the eating in Noche Buena

…giving gifts you know only fellow runners will love and appreciate

– found these pouches at Mizuno. Reminded me of my Spi Belt (which I love) so I bought a few for my running friends –

…hinting to your beloved about all the gear you will need to attain your running goals in 2011 and wishing he/she picks up on it (Forget about hinting in my case. I’ll just spell it out for the hubby.  C-L-E-A-T-S for cross training. Or an I-P-A-D for easy blogging)

…baking Christmas cookies with the kids without even showering after a run. Oops, that’s just me. But, yes, that’s what I did this morning!

– Yummy! The kids and I had a blast baking these –

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Best running buddy is back home from Singapore! Of course, we had to celebrate her homecoming with a run.

Annie and I dashed through our playground yesterday in between guffaws and short walk breaks (we are so not in serious training mode) to cover 7k of one of the first of our many holiday runs while she’s here.

Tomorrow, we spend the morning running through hills and ending it with Bikram Yoga. When Annie’s here, there’s never a dull workout moment!

– Here’s Annie with her pasalubong for me: my favorite Bee Chieng Hiang! Drool drool. I’ll save this for Christmas Eve cheat day! –

HERO stands for Help Educate and Rear Orphans.  HERO foundation provides educational stipend support to children of soldiers who are killed-in-action or are permanently incapacitated while in combat duty.

Since August 23, 1988, HERO has so far supported the education of more than 2,100 children and AFP orphans at various levels of education. About 798 orphans had already graduated in college.

Original founders include: late Pres. Corazon Aquino, former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Renato de Villa, Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and other concerned businessmen.  Current Board of Trustees include: Fernando Zobel de Ayala (Chairman), Gen Renato de Villa AFP (Ret) (Vice Chairman), Antonino T Aquino (President), Pinky Aquino, Ces Drilon of ABSCBN, Jun Bisnar of Ayala Land, Miguel Belmonte of Phil Star, Sandy Prieto Romualdez of Phil Daily Inquirer, Ton Concepcion of Condura and more.

TBR DREAM SUPPORTS HERO FOUNDATION

A portion of the proceeds raised from TBR Dream Marathon on March 20, 2011 will be donated to Hero Foundation. Beyond that, we’ve pledged to help by encouraging our TBR Dream Marathoners—and those who read this blog as well—to raise funds for HERO through their runs.

HOW DO YOU COLLECT PLEDGES?

1. Announce to family, friends, and colleagues about the 42k you will run on March 20, 2011 (or any race you prefer). You can even do this via email. (No backing out now!)
2. Inform them you are running not just for yourself, but also for orphans of Hero Foundation. Explain how they can help by pledging a specific amount for every kilometer you run. Example: P10 for every kilometer. P10 x 42 = P420 for the entire race.  You decide on the amount.
3. List down the names and corresponding pledge of each person.
4. Train hard for TBR Dream Marathon…and try your darndest best to finish all 42 kilometers on March 20, 2011. (During the last 5k, it would help to think of all the kids you’ll help by crossing the finish line.)
5. After you’ve recovered from your marathon, collect pledges and donate this to HERO Foundation in four ways:

• Deposit at BPI. Saving Account no. 000013-6263-32. Fax deposit slip to Gemma at Hero fax no. 913-1318
• Deposit at Landbank. Current Account no. 1672-1001-23. Fax deposit slip to Gemma at Hero fax no. 913-1318
• Send check to Hero office at Camp Aguinaldo. Contact Gen. Garcia or Gemma below
• Drop at HERO donation boxes in various Ayala Malls

For more info, you may contact the following:  Gen. Renato M. Garcia (Executive Director) or Gemma (Chief Accountant) of HERO Foundation, Inc. Room 203, 2/F, AFPGIC Bldg., EDSA cor. B. Serrano St., Q.C.; tel no. 912-0361 or 912-9330.

For more information about HERO, click HERE to view website.

I am The Bull Runner. I will rise to the challenge!

That’s Cherifer’s tagline. And, it could might as well be mine.

Juggling all my responsibilities throughout the day as mom and wife, graphic designer, blogger, editor, and of course, runner is definitely a daily challenge. But, I’m always game! I think of all these lofty dreams and sign myself up for seemingly impossible goals because it scares the hell out of me, but at the same time, it makes me feel more alive. Just as long as I know I’m able to balance everything without losing focus on what’s most important (family comes first for me!) then all is good.

So, when Cherifer presented their storyboard and invited me to be their endorser, I thought it was a perfect fit. I started taking Cherifer a few months back and honestly (no bull! and no pun intended, too!) it’s worked for me. I felt so strong throughout my training for New York Marathon. I haven’t even gotten sick, not even sore throat in the cold of New York, for months now. It’s a huge difference from the months of February to May this year when I caught every virus out there!

I also liked the fact that the advertisement was so…ME! Cherifer actually pulled the storyboard out of the About portion from this blog. They constantly asked me if everything they were presenting was true and real for me. When I struggled with recording (sorry, I can’t do much about my nasal voice and kolehiyala intonation!) they welcomed it because it was me!

So, as much as this is a TV ad about Cherifer, it’s also about who I really am. Told you it was a perfect fit!

Thanks Cherifer for the trust and opportunity!