Posts Tagged with: "Mercato Centrale"

There’s one race that the kids and I look forward to every year. It’s the Mommy Milkshake Run!

Yesterday, over 400 parents and kids trooped over to Mercato Centrale at Bonifacio High Street for some 3k and 5k running action and to show their support for breastfeeding.  Spotted there were active families and friends…

– Christine and Paco Sandejas and kids –

– Patricia and Vince Hizon and kids –

– breastfeeding advocate, Abbie Yabot, with husband Mike (not in pic) and her family –

Plus mommy friends and their kids…

– Mommy Power!  Gigi (Fit Mommy) and my “twin sis” Jaimie carrying their kids. That’s tougher than a 42k! –

– The Janeo Family: Gab, Mike, and Lola. Missing in pic: Mommy Macel! –

– The Jao Family (Missing in pic: Daddy Jayvee –

Last but not the least, race organizer and my dearest Sis (who really should start running already)…

– Janice, bro-in-law Gary V., and kids –

As for The Bull Runner family, oh, the kids and I were present too even if hubby was off to the beach over the weekend.

The morning started out a bit slow and gloomy for us.  It was quite tough to drag the kiddos out of bed, there was an eerie silence in the car and not the usual chatting and shouting, Li’l Miss Bull Runner got cranky after she complained that I was “taking too many photos of her,” and I was just too exhausted from the 21k in such hot and humid weather the day before.

– To think they were so excited about this race! Check out that fake smile and frown! –

– Could they have been any more irritable? –

Before we could rant any further, the race started.  There were a few who were serious about racing (my friend ultramarathoner, Toto, was keen on winning the 5k…and he did!) but most were out there to just have serious fun.

The Bull Runner family couldn’t have walked any slower. I was contemplating on replacing Bull with Turtles, Snails, or even Sloths when I had another idea. A few meters into the race, I declared to the kids: Finishers of this race gets a new cheap toy later! (Yes, the word cheap found its way in there!) I saw Li’l Miss Bull Runner’s eyes light up. Then, I made a second announcement: Winner of the race gets an extra cheap toy, too! Before I could finish, the two were gone and had charged ahead just like little bulls!

– Ready…Set…Go! –

– Li’l Miss TBR with her cousin –

– They had a blast… –

– …and a tough workout too –

– Bonding time! –

During the race, naughty Li’l Miss Bull Runner would entertain herself by taunting her kuya…

– Caught in the act –

Spin like crazy to make herself dizzy, and…

– Whooopeee! –

…Just like Mommy taught her, Li’l Miss Bull Runner would cool herself down at the water station just like the pros do…

…and again…

Both crossed the finish at the same time. (Thank God because this Mom plays no favorites so they both enjoyed the same reward later in the day!) This was truly a fun and memorable bonding experience for us.

We dropped by Mercato Centrale for Mommy Milkshake’s post race activities and to shop for food of course (brazo de mercedes and cupcakes…yum!), but had to leave before the mommy talks and kiddie activities which we heard were a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Mommy Milkshake Run! Until the next one!

Who’s not joining the much awaited Leg 3 of Run Rio: Run United this coming weekend?  For those of you are signed up for the Sunday event, I’m giving you an additional reason why you should run: Mercato Centrale.

Mercato Centrale is a new weekend food bazaar at Bonifacio Global City.  “Inspired by the outdoor markets of Mercato Centrale in Florence and the Boroughs Market in London, Mercato Centrale at Bonifacio Global City is an innovative weekend lifestyle market with unique, great tasting food finds that you won’t find anywhere around the metro!  Mercato also has an extensive selection of healthy and organic fruits, vegetables and livestock, all located in a clean, comfortable, well-ventilated and organized setting.” They will also stage fun activities, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, and even Sunday mass for families.

Behind Mercato Centrale is popular blogger and TBR Dream Marathon alumni, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, RJ Ledesma (of Royal Tru Orange fame), and my soon-to-be-runner (although she doesn’t know it yet) sister and bro-in-law, Janice and Gary Villanueva of Creative Juice.

Ribbon cutting and grand launch of Mercato Centrale will be this Sunday, November 21, 2010.  Everyone is invited.  Yes, it’s perfect after Run United, don’t you think?  Your family can also choose to shop (and eat) while you’re running your race.

Hope to see you there and every weekend thereafter!

The Weekend Market in Mercato Centrale
corner of 30th Ave. and 9th St., Bonifacio Global City
Landmark is at the back of The Spa, Bonifacio High Street
open every Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 12 noon