Feeling unsafe

I received a very disturbing news from a former officemate. Clarence Bondoc who works for the Credit and Collection Department of Smart Communications was found dead on Sunday in his apartment in San Andres Bukid, Manila. He died of 13 stab wounds in his upper chest, back and neck. There were also wounds his face and arms noted as mark of struggles. Robbery-homecide is being considered as Bondoc was robbed of his cash, laptop and other digital electronics.
Police officials are considering two young looking men who were seen posed with Bondoc on his digicam around 10:45pm Saturday night.
For more details, visit the link below:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20110130-317494/Smart-employee-stabbed-dead-in-home

His idea of investment

I am so proud of my friend who has now settled in Japan for he is successful in both of his chose fields: as an IT Professional and as a professional journalist. He has closed a couple of deals to gain exclusive rights to his priced snap shots. He finds his camera as his source of income and that is why he is not hesitant of upgrading his power tool. He has just recently added Nikon binoculars to his investment and I am sure that he will be counting Yens soon.

More than just a fun run

Jem, together with her 17-year-old nephew, met up at McDonalds on Boni Ave. in Mandlauyong @ around 4:30am. I had a quick pancake breakfast while waiting for them to arrive. Five am is the assembly time on the 28th street cor. 9th ave at Global City the Fort for the first Greentennial Run.
The gunshot for the 15k started at 5:30am while our category, the 10k run started at 5:40am. It is still dark then but the runners’ spirits are so high that you can almost feel the heat in the air. The route started from the Fort reached Buendia cor. Makati Ave. I was pleased to look at my watch seeing that I am hitting one hour and on my calculation, given the same route, I will be finished in an hour and 15 minutes. But I was surprised that there is a change in the route and u-turning to go back to the Fort passing through the British School turning right to the Market! Market then u-turning to an equally far stretch taking u-turn to half its length then going right passing the British School then left to Fort. I did not feel tired but my right knee is hurting so much that I literally walked the curve to the British School then to the finish line. My spirit was lifted as I saw the finish line and I began sprinting. I finished at 1:37 minutes on the clock.
Our bibs are clipped which are recognized by the sensors placed at the finish line. The results can be viewed at runningmate.ph
True to its slogan, a fun run they really had these stops where a bunch of photogs will capture you in having the highest jump, smile and the “it” point. Also it is a family event having couples and kids joining the run.
The P500 registration fee is really worth it compared to the experience, prizes (my friend jem came in third and won a whopping P4000!) and the freebies. There are also photo booths for each category.
Powerade stations during the run is based on my count is limited to three and there is Maynilad “rain” station to hydrate us. The good thing though is there is Powerade station on site that gives bottomless Powerades and Wilkins bottled waters.
There are also a good Greentennial sling bag carrying hefty samples of multivitamins, vitamin C and Oracare mouthwash and toothpaste.
It was really a fun-filled day.

Banchetto on a Friday

I first about Banchetto on Bandila on ABS CBN. By definition (vocabulary.com), Banchetto means a party of people assembled to have dinner together. Being a foodie myself, I immediately said yes to my former officemate when she asked us out to sample the food there. Banchetto is held every Friday at 12 midnight (technically, it is Saturday already) until wee hours in the morning of Saturday. We were there around past 11:00 and the people and the food sellers are already gathered around the street of Emerald Ave. in Ortigas Center. On one lane of the street are makeshift tents that will stand as food kiosks. I think it is our attempt to have our own version of Singapore’s hawker center.
The stores won’t open up until 12 midnight so we waited patiently at Mc Donald’s in Strata 100. None of us wanted to eat anything at Mc Donalds for we are saving some space in our tummies to accommodate the delights we were anticipating in Bachetto.
Twelve midnight stroke and at last, the feast started. People we like hungry wolves trying to get a head on their prey. I do not sweat easily but the heat coming from the sellers’ stoves added big time to the heat coming from the people that we literally rubbed elbows with. It is like shopping in Divisoria during the holidays or riding the MRT during rush hour.
Our mistake was that, we arrived early but we did not save tables for ourselves so we ended up sitting on the stairs of PLDT building.
We decided to rest for a while before picking our choice but time was flying so fast and we could actually feel the acids building up in our guts. So we decided to brave the sea of hungry wolves.

Our pack decided to go on our own ways to get what we want to eat. I was really hungry and sweating hard so I decided to get Thai Rice from a store and Chicken Kabab from another. I tried to squeeze myself in a huge pack of people and successfully made my way out to the stairs. We ate peacefully not talking to one another until I felt something crawling on my foot. For crying out loud, there were roaches on the floor! I freaked out big time and lost my appetite.

Here are my takes on the Banchetto thing:
1. It is a far shot from the SG’s hawker centers although food is good and affordable
2. They should allow the sellers to set up ahead of time so they will not rumble and stumble with the customers.
3. Tables should be set up earlier and they should not let the customers do the setting up. More tables please so that we will not sit on stairs near the manhole.
It is not a fail grade but with these suggestions in mind, they could probably be at par with SG. Fact of the matter is, we’re planning to go back but we’ll be there a little bit late.

Quicker than a cat nap

Before we went off to Banchetto last Friday, we visited our former officemate in her new work place. It is pretty surprising that they have this reception area that is cozy. It has modern furniture pieces that is very relaxing. It is so relaxing that I was not able to fight its invitation to close my eyes and next thing I know, I dozed off. My friends actually took a shot of me in my REM stage. Good thing I did not salivate.

Counting sheeps

I really do not like being in the morning shift. It is hard for me to create sleep. I already have counted gazillion of sheeps but my eyes are still wide open. I do not want to depend on sleeping aids. But if it is the only way I could tuck myself early, why wouldn’t I opt for it? I checked on bestsleepingpills.org and checked out the pills that would not cause dependency and has no serious side effects. At the moment, Benadryl that I use to relieve my allergic rhinitis, creates a very positive dosing effect on me at night.

Running after health

The day of the Greentennial draws near and I am still not prepped up for the said event. Since I have found some running buddies in the hospital, we get to run around the university oval atleast twice a week. Gearing up for another 10k feat will surely be one of the best fat burners. This is true, as I have noticed one of our consultants to lose dramatic weight by joining the fun runs in and out the Metro.

Working it out

I get upset whenever I try to fit in my clothes especially my jeans. Despite the erratic work sked that causes my inability to eat decent meals on time, I have gained almost 10 kilos. I cannot close the lower garments at the waist and I must do something about it. Aside from my usual running activities, I need to do some lower ab workout to flatten those love handles. I am beginning to get upset every time I look at myself in the mirror.

Chilling in winter

I was watching the Inside Edition on TV and I can’t help but get amazed by the deep chilling voice of this homeless man in Columbus, Ohio. The bushy-haired Ted Williams holds up a sign saying “"I have a god given gift of voice. I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times. Please! Any help will be greatfully appreciated. Thank you and God bless. Happy holidays,"
Falling off the wagon to alcohol and drugs , luckily, did not have bad effects on his voice. From the roadside of Columbus the future seems to be hitting on high notes for him as he’s got numerous offers to do voiceover jobs.
Hope he’ll get things straighten up this time.
The original video that has gone viral on youtube has been taken out due to copyright issues.

Swept away

Just after the chaos over Mrs. Marcos’ visit to our hospital, she still left some unforgettable e memories. Apart from the priceless photo opps, she left a very beautiful keepsake that is a porcelain flower vase with heart embellishments. It is a very good centrepiece and can also be used as an office décor. I just really loved talking to Madam, as she’s what being fondly called.

Who's got your back?

In life no matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Whether you are in the comfort of your own, at work , in school or even on the road. Some get into accidents because of others’ negligence. Lucky, if you have the dimes to spend on every medical expense or law suit laid before you. That is why getting Texas truck accident attorney is advisable to those who have blue collar jobs as means of protection. Getting experienced personal injury lawyer to have your back in times of accidents would be handy. The lawyer and counsellors at O’ Hanlon McCollom & Demerath focus on personal injury and auto accident cases. Their expertise will get you on the road to recovery.

An early frustration

Trying to be a sucker for marathons, I again engaged myself into a running spree.
After my tiring duty, I registered for the Greentennial Run which is for the benefit of One La Salle Scholarship Fund. It is set to happen on January 23rd at the Global City,The Fort.
I made my registration at the Columbia Sportswear last week and I was told to claim our race kit in the first week of January. As I planned to claim the kit, I called first to check its availability and I was frustrated to learn that claiming was centralized to R.O.X. at the Fort.
The Fort is not accessible to me and I really have to make my way to claim the kit.

One smoggy morning

I was among the (un)lucky one who got to work on a holiday. It was hard for me to get a ride to work and got worried that I’d be late for work. What is good about holidays is that you get to enjoy the road travel as there is barely traffic.
I decided to stroll from the Lung Center of the Philippines all the way to East Ave. where I am working. Along with the cold breeze came the long lying smoke and fog that we call smog. It does not smell polluted at all that is why I enjoyed my stroll.