Category Archives: Bullish Insights

Clad in yellow shirts, a group of us Southern runners ran around Ayala Alabang Village this gloomy and rainy morning to pay tribute to our beloved President Cory. For a woman who sacrificed so much for the country, our 8km run under the rain was nothing compared to the sacrifices she willingly accepted for our country.  Thank you Tita Cory for inspiring us all to be better Filipinos.

– Break at Madrigal Avenue –

– Rest in peace, Tita Cory –

* First photo courtesy of Nora (Life Begins at 50)

Last Saturday, Hubby and I woke up early in the morning eager to get dressed for our date. That’s a date for a long, slow run with running friends, that is.

Plan was to meet our good friend, Kim, at Forbes Park together with our other running friends, Jun & Mariel (The Solemates), Ben Chan (Photographer on the Run), and Vince of Finish Line.

The rain was pouring outside, but a quick text to everyone confirmed what I had known even before I got out of bed. Rain or shine, this run was pushing through. We were all crazy running addicts who would not let the rain stop us from getting our fix. Secretly, I bet half of us were looking forward to getting our feet wet (no pun intended).

By 6:45 a.m., we were all at Kim’s place ready to go. Jonel (Bugobugo) had decided to join us at the last minute. He had actually ran all the way to Kim’s place!

We started running without a plan which, in hindsight, made the run more enjoyable. There was no target pace nor distance. Most of us didn’t know where we were headed as Kim would only yell left or right to those who led the group.

We ran at a slow pace, around 7 min/km, all the way. Under the cool, cloudy weather, we ran out of South Forbes and into North Forbes then entered Dasmarinas and headed back to South Forbes again. There was a lot of talk and laughter, the kind that makes you go on and on without realizing how far or how long you’ve been running. We stopped once to hydrate with Gatorade, take in some Hammer gels, run to the little ladies’ room, and went off to run again.  True enough, when we ended the run, we clocked in at 1 hour 53 minutes for a 15km long, slow run.

– with my running idol and host, Kim – 

As we cooled down and stretched on the road near our cars, Kim welcomed us into her home. She took us straight from the garage into her swimming pool and invited us in. One by one, still in our running apparel, we entered the pool—some hesitating (such as my hubby) while others were easier to persuade (such as Ben who dove right in). We stretched in the pool, allowed our tired muscles to recover from the run, and laughed and talked some more.

– Best cool down ever! –

Several minutes later and after hot showers for each one of us, a runners’ breakfast greeted us in the dining area. Crisp bacon, omelets and fried eggs, whole wheat bread and rice, plus hot brewed coffee were laid out for us to devour. We enjoyed the meal over more conversation, so much so that by the time we left, it was lunch time already!

What a great way to spend a Saturday. Thank you Kim for our little runners’ get together. Until the next time!

We, the iamninoy steering committee, would like to invite the members of the iamninoy Runners Group, to don your yellow iamninoy shirts tomorrow and run for Tita Cory as she is laid to rest.  For non-iamninoy members, we invite you to run in yellow shirts together with us or in your own groups.

For those in the South, some of us will meet at 7 a.m. tomorrow to run loops around the Alabang Country Club loop.  We invite you to join us.  Park your cars at Woodrose.

If the South is too far, feel free to gather together with friends and run as a group in Tita Cory’s memory.  If you would like to get a group together, post a comment here with your venue and time to inform other runners who may join.

As passionate runners, this silent tribute is the best send-off we can give our beloved Tita Cory.  We will do what we love in her honor.

* To running bloggers, kindly spread the word through your own blogs.  Thank you.

I woke up at 5 a.m. yesterday and hurriedly got ready for a Saturday morning run with friends.  As hubby and I were getting dressed, we got a text message that ex-President Corazon Aquino had passed away.  I paused to watch the news on TV and with the confirmation of the news,  a wave of sadness swept through me.  I couldn’t believe the country’s most gentle and kind-hearted Tita had passed away.  (I never met her, but call her “Tita” because it feels as if she was everyone’s second mother.) 

Last March 2009, I was invited by Tita Cory’s nephew, Jamike Lopa (Try-Athlete) and his wife, Mayi (In a Nutshell), to join the steering committee of the iamNinoy Runners Group, which aims to encourage other runners to become modern day heroes, just like our martyred national hero and Tita Cory’s husband, Ninoy Aquino.  By donating P500 to the iamNinoy runners group, a runner gets a yellow iamNinoy shirt to wear at race events and helps the iamNinoy beneficiary, 5775 movement, which aims to reverse the current education crisis in the country.

The next iamNinoy event will be the Kenny’s Urbanite Run on August 15, 2009, where we encourage all iamNinoy members to wear the yellow shirt to symbolize their commitment to help.  With Tita Cory’s recent passing, the yellow shirt will take on even more meaning for all of us.  Personally, it will be my way of paying my respects and celebrating the life of such a great woman.  I’d like to tell the world that iamNinoy, but in some way, iamCory too.

Our deepest condolonces to the Cojuangco-Aquino family, especially Rapa, Jamike and Mayi.  Rest in peace, Tita Cory.

This yellow ribbon was sent to me by Jamike.  You may want to use as profile pic in your facebook account. Just right click, save, and upload to your FB profile.

Run Radio Episode 2 wasn’t as sweat-busting and nerve-wracking as the first one.  

Last night, my partner, Jay Nacino (Prometheus Cometh) and I, as well as our producer, Marga Deona (The Changeling Child), were much more relaxed and prepared for the show.  We brought along a more comprehensive script, our own notes, plus a ton of learnings from the debut last week.  All these helped to ease the nerves and allowed us to enjoy the experience even more.  One hour felt like a minute!  It was so much fun.

Thanks to all those who listened!  For those who missed it, download the podcast here.

– J&J –

– with guest, Coach Ige Lopez –

– with Jay, Marga, Dr. George Bodegon, and Hector Yuzon –

– Just before our Run Radio group hug! hah! –

* Photos courtesy of Angel Nacino. Thanks, Angel!